Komodo dragons have iron-coated teeth.
Komodo dragons bite with iron-coated teeth
Scientists have been analysing what makes the large reptiles' bite so venomous and found that their teeth are coated with a layer of iron that keeps the serrated edges razor-sharp.
It is the first time that such a coating has been spotted on an animal and could also help experts understand how dinosaurs ate their food - as the teeth are similar to those of the extinct beasts.
Dr. Aaron LeBlanc, lead author of the study at King's College London, said: "Komodo dragons have curved, serrated teeth to rip and tear their prey just like those of meat-eating dinosaurs.
"We want to use this similarity to learn more about how carnivorous dinosaurs might have eaten and if they used iron in their teeth in the same way as the Komodo dragon."