Zoo database

Komodo Dragon

Varanus komodoensis

Natural diet Komodo Dragon

Vertebrates

Komodo dragons are carnivorous and have a variety of prey ranging from small to large vertebrates. Some of these species include rodents and birds, but also large carcasses are consumed. Besides this, insects and reptiles are occasionally eaten. Naturally, they may consume up to 80% of their BW in one meal. In captivity, this amount is often divided over multiple days.

Feeding advice Komodo Dragon

Feed quantity per day

5-10% of body weight

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 80 kg and eats 8% of its body weight, it will get

80 x 0.08 = 6.4 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

99% Meat products and whole prey
1% Supplements

Proportions (fresh product)

0.99 x 6.4 kg = 6336 g meat products and whole prey
0.01 x 6.4 kg = 64 g supplements

Diet suggestions

Additional advice

Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least one feeding moment per day.
The supplements should be given according to the appropriate dosage that is mentioned on the labelling.
Foraging behaviour can be stimulated by dispersing the food throughout the enclosure (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

Obesity
Metabolic bone disease

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Whole Prey supplement

Rabbit XL >5 kg - ca. 300 kg

Jannicke Kiezebrink

Director Operations