Battle of the Dragons

Why, thank you! I am the largest lizard in the world. I can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 300 pounds—as heavy as a refrigerator. I’m speedy too. I can run up to 12 miles per hour. That’s faster than you could ride your bike!

Why, thank you! I am the largest lizard in the world. I can grow up to 10 feet long. I weigh up to 300 pounds. That’s as heavy as a refrigerator. I’m quick too. I can run up to 12 miles per hour. That’s faster than you could ride your bike!

I’m one of the most powerful predators in the world. I’m super quiet. I silently hunt the animal I want to eat. Then I jump into action! Sometimes I knock down animals with my mighty tail. I use my giant claws and razor-sharp teeth to gobble up my meal.

I’m one of the most powerful predators in the world. I’m super quiet. I quietly hunt the animal I want to eat. Then I jump into action! Sometimes I knock down animals with my strong tail. I use my giant claws and razor-sharp teeth to eat my meal.

My prey includes goats, pigs, and deer. I love to eat. I can eat up to 80 percent of my body weight in just one meal! (My stomach expands to fit all that food!)

I love to eat. My prey includes goats, pigs, and deer. I can eat up to 80 percent of my body weight in just one meal! (My stomach stretches to fit all that food!)

You bet. I have an incredible sense of smell. But I don’t use my nose—I use my tongue! Sss. My tongue smells prey from miles away. But that’s not all I can do. My mouth makes slime! When I bite an animal, goo oozes through my teeth. It poisons my prey, making it weak. These secret weapons make me one mighty lizard. Watch out!

Yes! I have a great sense of smell. But I don’t use my nose. I use my tongue! Sss. My tongue smells prey from miles away. But that’s not all I can do. My mouth makes slime! When I bite an animal, goo oozes through my teeth. It poisons my prey. It makes my prey weak. These secret weapons make me one mighty lizard. Watch out!

Bzz! That’s because I’m one of the fastest flying insects in the world. I zoom up to 35 miles per hour. I fly up and down, forward and backward. I can also hover in place.

Bzz! That’s because I’m one of the fastest flying insects in the world. I zoom up to 35 miles per hour. I fly up and down. I fly forward and backward. I can also hover in place.

I’m the most efficient hunter in the world. I hardly ever miss catching my prey! If 10 mosquitoes were flying around me, I’d be able to catch 9 of them. (A lion catches its prey only once out of every four times.)

I’m the most efficient hunter in the world. I hardly ever miss catching my prey! If 10 mosquitoes were flying around me, I’d be able to catch 9 of them. (A lion catches its prey only once out of every four times.)

My favorite foods are flies, mosquitoes, and butterflies. One time I even caught a hummingbird!

My favorite foods are flies, mosquitoes, and butterflies. One time I even caught a hummingbird!

Have you seen my eyes? They’re huge! And they’re not like human eyes. They can see in almost every direction all at once. This helps me spot my prey as it flies by. Then I attack. Gotcha! Between my giant, powerful eyes and my super speed, I’m hard to beat!   

Yes! Have you seen my eyes? They’re huge! And they’re not like human eyes. They can see in almost every direction all at once. This helps me see my prey as it flies by. Then I attack. Gotcha! My giant, powerful eyes and my super speed make me hard to beat!