Iron-coated teeth found in Komodo dragons

Komodo dragons, renowned for their formidable size and venomous bite, have long fascinated scientists and the public alike. Now, their legendary status has been bolstered by a groundbreaking discovery: their teeth are coated with a layer of iron that keeps their serrated edges razor sharp.

As reported by The Guardian, this unique adaptation, found for the first time in any animal, was described by researchers as “a striking and previously overlooked predatory adaptation.” The coating was discovered when researchers observed an orange pigment on the tips and serrated edges of Komodo dragons’ teeth. Closer inspection revealed that the enamel contained concentrated iron, enhancing the teeth’s hardness and wear resistance, aiding the dragons in tearing their prey apart.

Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards, reaching over three meters in length and averaging 80 kilograms in weight. They inhabit several Indonesian islands, preying on a wide range of animals, from small birds to water buffalo and even other Komodo dragons. Human fatalities have also been reported, including a child and a fruit picker in separate incidents on Komodo Island.

Indonesian authorities have considered banning tourists from the islands to protect the dragons’ mating habits, disrupted by visitors’ food handouts. The species is endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal hunting, with only an estimated 3,500 left in the wild.

The study, led by researchers at King’s College London, utilized advanced imaging and various analytical techniques to examine teeth from Komodo dragons and other reptiles, both living and extinct, including monitor lizards, crocodiles, alligators, and dinosaurs. While the iron coating was most prominent in Komodo dragons, similar iron-rich coverings were found on the teeth of other reptiles. Aaron LeBlanc, lead author and lecturer in dental biosciences at King’s College, suggested that this could be a widespread but previously overlooked feature of reptile teeth.

Komodo dragons’ curved, serrated teeth resemble those of carnivorous dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex. Published in *Nature Ecology & Evolution*, the study aimed to understand more about how dinosaur teeth functioned. Although iron coatings were identified in living reptiles, no evidence was found in dinosaur fossils, possibly due to the iron being lost over time.

Owen Addison, a professor of oral rehabilitation at King’s College and senior author of the study, noted that this discovery could inspire new dental techniques for humans. “We think there’s an opportunity to use the structure discovered in this work to inform new strategies to regenerate enamel in humans,” he said.

This article was amended on July 24, 2024, to correct an earlier version that mistakenly referred to the Komodo dragon as the “largest living reptile.”

[Information sourced from The Guardian]