The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard, a monitor lizard up to about three metres long that lives only on a handful of islands in eastern Indonesia, mainly Komodo and Rinca in Komodo National Park and parts of western Flores. It is a venomous predator, listed as Endangered, and you can see it in the wild on ranger-guided walks.
Below, each common question gets a short, sourced answer, followed by a comparison with other monitor lizards, the safety rules for a ranger walk, and how to see dragons in the wild by boat.
Komodo dragon at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Varanus komodoensis |
| Family | Monitor lizards (Varanidae) |
| Length | Typically up to about 3 m; largest verified 3.13 m |
| Weight | Wild adults typically about 70 kg; largest verified 166 kg |
| Top speed | Short bursts of about 16 to 20 km/h |
| Diet | Carnivore: deer, pigs, water buffalo, goats and carrion |
| Venom | Yes, glands in the lower jaw |
| Lifespan in the wild | About 30 years, with some estimates higher |
| Where | Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang, Nusa Kode and parts of Flores, Indonesia |
| Population | About 3,270 in Komodo National Park, plus about 700 on Flores |
| IUCN status | Endangered since 2021 |
What is a Komodo dragon?
A Komodo dragon is a very large monitor lizard, the biggest lizard species alive today. It belongs to the genus Varanus, the same group as the water monitors and goannas, and is found only in the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia (Animal Diversity Web). It is not a dinosaur, despite the name, but a living reptile adapted to dry, hot islands where it is the top predator.
How big is a Komodo dragon?
Komodo dragons grow to around three metres long. The largest verified specimen measured 3.13 metres (10.3 feet), according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Males tend to be larger than females.
Growth is steady. Hatchlings measure about 40 centimetres, and by five years old a dragon averages about two metres (Smithsonian's National Zoo).
How much does a Komodo dragon weigh?
A typical adult in the wild weighs about 70 kilograms (154 pounds), and the largest verified dragon weighed 166 kilograms (366 pounds), according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Hatchlings weigh less than 100 grams, and five-year-olds around 25 kilograms.
Weight swings with feeding: a dragon can eat up to 80 percent of its own body weight in a single meal.
How fast can a Komodo dragon run?
A Komodo dragon can run at about 16 to 20 km/h (10 to 13 mph) in brief bursts, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance gives a similar range of 14 to 18.5 km/h, over short distances only, and a normal walking pace of about 4.8 km/h (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
That is fast enough to surprise a person over a short distance, which is one reason ranger walks keep groups together and at a distance. Dragons are also capable swimmers: one was recorded swimming at least 450 metres between islands.
Are Komodo dragons venomous?
Yes. Komodo dragons have venom glands in the lower jaw, and their venom stops blood from clotting and lowers blood pressure, according to a 2009 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (Fry et al., PNAS). The same study found the dragon's skull is built to resist pulling rather than to deliver a crushing bite, so it kills with a grip-and-rip attack combined with venom.
For years the popular explanation was that bacteria in the dragon's saliva killed its prey. The PNAS study rejected that idea, finding venom to be the more important factor (National Geographic). Large prey that escapes a first attack often dies within days.
What do Komodo dragons eat?
Komodo dragons are carnivores. Young dragons eat insects, small lizards, snakes and birds, and from about five years old they take larger prey, with deer the most common meal (Smithsonian's National Zoo). Adults also eat pigs, goats, water buffalo and carrion (Animal Diversity Web).
They hunt mostly by smell, flicking the tongue to pick up scent, and larger dragons tend to sit and wait for prey rather than chase it (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance). Young dragons spend their early life in trees, partly to stay out of reach of adults.
How long do Komodo dragons live?
Komodo dragons live about 30 years in the wild, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Other sources give longer figures: Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry says more than 40 years (KSDAE), and Animal Diversity Web suggests about 50 for adults that survive to maturity. Many hatchlings never reach adulthood.
How do Komodo dragons reproduce?
Females lay around 30 eggs, which incubate for roughly eight to nine months (Smithsonian's National Zoo; Animal Diversity Web). Mating happens in the middle of the year.
Komodo dragons can also reproduce without a male. In 2006, researchers confirmed virgin births, known as parthenogenesis, in two captive females at Chester Zoo and London Zoo that had been kept apart from males (Watts et al., Nature). Offspring from these births are always male.
How many Komodo dragons are left?
About 3,270 Komodo dragons, give or take 371, live in Komodo National Park, with roughly 700 more on Flores outside the park, according to figures published by Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry in February 2026 (KSDAE). Researchers describe the park population as relatively stable over the past two decades.
Fewer than half are mature adults. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, citing the IUCN assessment, puts the number of mature individuals at about 1,400 across all island populations (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
Are Komodo dragons endangered?
Yes. The Komodo dragon is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, upgraded from Vulnerable in 2021. The IUCN warned that rising temperatures and sea levels are expected to shrink the dragon's habitat by at least 30 percent over the next 45 years (NPR).
Inside Komodo National Park the population is well protected. Outside it, on Flores, dragons face habitat loss from farming and settlement, along with poaching of the deer and pigs they hunt, competition with feral dogs and illegal trade (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
Where do Komodo dragons live?
Komodo dragons live only in Indonesia, on a few islands in the Lesser Sundas. Komodo and Rinca hold about two-thirds of the world's wild dragons, with Rinca holding the largest subpopulation, and smaller groups live on Gili Motang, Nusa Kode and parts of Flores (San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
| Island | Status |
|---|---|
| Rinca | Largest subpopulation, regular ranger walks from Loh Buaya |
| Komodo | Large population, ranger walks from Loh Liang |
| Gili Motang | Fewer than 100 individuals, no regular visits |
| Nusa Kode | Fewer than 100 individuals, no regular visits |
| Flores | Scattered populations, declining in some areas |
| Padar | Very few or none; the population largely disappeared in the 1970s |
Their habitat is tropical savanna and dry forest, from beaches to ridge tops (Smithsonian's National Zoo).
Komodo dragon vs monitor lizard
A Komodo dragon is a monitor lizard, just the largest one. The comparison people usually mean is with the Asian water monitor, a widespread relative that also lives in Indonesia and is often mistaken for a young Komodo.
| Komodo dragon | Asian water monitor | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Varanus komodoensis | Varanus salvator |
| Typical adult length | Around 2 to 3 m | Most adults about 1.5 m or less |
| Maximum length | 3.13 m verified | Reported to 3 m, rarely |
| Range | A few islands in eastern Indonesia | Much of South and Southeast Asia, India to the Philippines |
| Habitat | Dry savanna and forest | Riverbanks, swamps and forest near water |
| Water | Can swim between islands | Semi-aquatic, can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes |
| Prey | Up to deer and water buffalo | Fish, birds, eggs, small mammals, reptiles |
Sources: Smithsonian's National Zoo, Animal Diversity Web on the Komodo dragon and Animal Diversity Web on the water monitor.
The bottom line: a Komodo dragon is much heavier and more powerful than any other monitor, and lives only on a few Indonesian islands, while water monitors are slimmer, more aquatic and found across much of Asia.
Are Komodo dragons dangerous to humans?
Yes, they can be. Komodo dragons are wild predators with a venomous bite, and attacks on people have happened, though they are rare. Local residents live closest to the risk: Komodo National Park recorded five attacks on villagers between 2000 and 2023 (Current Conservation). This is why every visit happens with a ranger or naturalist guide.
Safety rules on a ranger walk
The park's visitor protocol sets the rules, and rangers enforce them on the trail (Komodo National Park Authority). Breaking them can get you a written warning or, for serious breaches, a six-month ban from Indonesia's conservation areas.
- Follow the ranger: do what the ranger or naturalist guide says, immediately.
- Keep your distance: never touch a dragon or get too close, and stay behind the guide.
- Stay on the trail: walk only on marked routes and within your booked time slot.
- Never feed wildlife: and keep food packed away on the walk.
- Keep children close: hold younger children's hands and keep the group together.
- Move calmly: no sudden movements or running near a dragon.
- Take nothing: leave plants, shells and anything else where you found them.
For more practical advice on clothing and photography, read our guide to Komodo dragon safety.
Where can you see Komodo dragons in the wild?
The best places to see Komodo dragons in the wild are Komodo Island and Rinca Island, inside Komodo National Park, on ranger-guided walks. Both are reached by boat from Labuan Bajo on Flores, which has an airport with flights from Bali and Jakarta.
| Komodo Island | Rinca Island | |
|---|---|---|
| Ranger station | Loh Liang | Loh Buaya |
| Daily allocation (2026) | 750 visitors | 1,000 visitors |
| Distance from Labuan Bajo | Further, on the park's western side | Closer, an easier short trip |
| Also nearby | Kampung Komodo village, Pink Beach | Quieter bays in the south of the park |
Daily allocations from RRI, within a park-wide cap of 1,000 visitors a day since April 2026. Every visitor must be registered through the park's SiOra system by the day before, and foreign visitors pay an entrance ticket of IDR 250,000 per day as of October 2026 (Komodo National Park Authority).
The dry season, roughly May to October, is the most comfortable time to walk. For a side-by-side guide, see where to see Komodo dragons, and for the island itself, our Komodo Island guide.
Seeing Komodo dragons by private yacht
A private yacht is the most relaxed way to see dragons, because the boat goes where you want, when you want. The captain can anchor near Komodo or Rinca the night before and land you at the ranger station early, when it is cooler, before most day boats arrive.
It also means you can see both islands on one trip. A three or four-night charter usually fits one dragon walk alongside Padar, Pink Beach and the mantas, and longer trips include both. On our board, 63 boats sail Komodo, most of them traditional phinisi, with whole-boat rates from about US$1,750 a night. Your operator handles park registration for the whole group.
Browse the fleet, check live availability, or send your dates and our concierge will suggest a boat and route. Our Komodo National Park guide covers the rest of the park.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Komodo dragon kill a human?
Yes, a Komodo dragon can kill a human, though it is rare. Dragons are large predators with a venomous bite, and fatal attacks have been recorded, including on local villagers. The park recorded five attacks on villagers between 2000 and 2023. Tourists see dragons only on ranger-guided walks, which keep groups together and at a safe distance.
What is the biggest Komodo dragon ever recorded?
The largest verified Komodo dragon measured 3.13 metres (10.3 feet) long and weighed 166 kilograms (366 pounds), according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo. Wild adults are usually much lighter, around 70 kilograms. Larger figures sometimes appear online, but they are not verified measurements.
Can Komodo dragons swim?
Yes. Komodo dragons are capable swimmers and move between islands in the park. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance cites a swim of at least 450 metres between Komodo and a nearby island. Dragons can also appear on beaches, so stay alert at shore stops such as Pink Beach and follow your guide's advice.
Do Komodo dragons live anywhere outside Indonesia?
Not in the wild. Wild Komodo dragons live only on a few islands in eastern Indonesia: Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang, Nusa Kode and parts of Flores. Many zoos around the world keep them in captivity, and Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry counts about 177 dragons in ex-situ conservation, outside their natural habitat.
Why is it called a dragon?
The name comes from its size and appearance rather than from biology: it is a monitor lizard, not a mythical creature or a dinosaur. Its scientific name, Varanus komodoensis, refers to Komodo Island. In the traditional Sebae story of Komodo village, the dragon twin is named Ora.
Are Komodo dragons on Padar Island?
Not in any real number. Padar's dragon population largely disappeared in the 1970s, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo, and today Padar is visited for its ridge viewpoint. To see dragons, visit Komodo Island from Loh Liang or Rinca from Loh Buaya on a guided walk.
What is the best time of year to see Komodo dragons?
Dragons are seen year-round, but the dry season, roughly May to October, is the most comfortable for walking, with little rain. Mating takes place in the middle of the year. Early morning walks are cooler and often better for sightings, which a boat anchored nearby makes easy.
Sources
- Komodo dragon, Smithsonian's National Zoo
- Varanus komodoensis, Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan
- Varanus salvator, Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan
- Komodo dragon population fact sheet, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
- Komodo dragon behavior fact sheet, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
- A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis, Fry et al., PNAS 2009
- Venomous Komodo dragons kill prey with wound-and-poison tactics, National Geographic
- Parthenogenesis in Komodo dragons, Watts et al., Nature 2006
- How is the Komodo doing? KSDAE, Ministry of Forestry
- Climate change is threatening Komodo dragons, NPR
- Living in harmony with dragons, Current Conservation
- Visitor protocol, Komodo National Park Authority
- Tarif PNBP, Komodo National Park Authority
- Site quotas at Loh Liang, Loh Buaya and Padar, RRI