The Komodo Dragon: A unique creature only found in Indonesia

The island of Komodo located between Sumbawa and Flores, is the home of the Komodo Dragon which is the largest monitor lizard in the world and is he sole survivor of the dinasuars in Indonesia. The island is surrounded by some of the most treacherous currents around and that combined with the arid tropical savannah has kept people away. The Komodo Dragons were only discovered in 1912 when some fishermen were forced to stop there.

Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis) can grow over 3 meters and usually around 1.8 meters long and weigh about 150kg. Komodo Dragons can use their tails like a crocodile and deliver a crippling blow, the saliva in their mouth contains 60 kinds of bacteria and once bitten, a wound will become quickly infected. Hunting is done by ambushing deer and wild boars. Dragons hunt during the day and are amazingly well adapted creatures. They can sprint at 18 kmh for short distances, swim against strong currents dig its way out of a pen and rip a goat or pig with its saw-like teeth.

When feeding they plunge their head into the carcass and tear out the intestines, which are not eaten. They swallow huge chunks of flesh and a 40kg Dragon can swallow a 30 g deer, hoove and all, after sawing it into sections.

Although they are not usually aggressive to man there have been cases of people being attacked. In 1985 a Swiss tourist went for a hike alone and never came back, his belongings the only thing left. To see the Komodo Dragon is a 6 day overland from Bali, to get there. Komodo is a national park and does not have an airport. For those intent on exploring the eastern islands of the archipelago (Flores, Timor etc. Komodo and its small neighbors make an interesting place to visit.