The Komodo National Park was first declared as a world heritage site to protect the dragons in 1980. It took 11 more years for it to become a marine park in 1991. Nowadays, tourists from all over the world still come to Labuan Bajo mainly to spot the famous Komodo dragon as this part of Indonesia is their only natural habitat. The diving is incredible but everyone wants to see the largest lizard in the world, including divers. Why are they attracting so many people?
Well, let us tell you how fascinating these wild reptiles are…
- They have been living in the harsh climate and difficult environment of the Lesser Sunda islands for millions of years
- A female can measure up to 2,29m in length and weight up to 73kg while a male can grow up to 2,59m and 90kg
- In a burst, they can reach up to 18km per hour in speed! Run in zigzag to “escape” as sharp turns are made difficult by their tails
- Baby dragons must live in trees for approximately the first two years of their life to avoid getting eaten by their cannibalistic peers, including their mothers
- Mating occurs between May and August; the female will lay between 15 to 30 eggs in her nest the next month from which baby dragons of approximately 40cm will hatch about 8 months later
- They sleep in burrows which they digged in order to preserve heat during the colder nights
- Dragons eat deer, wild boar, goats, monkeys, buffalo (their biggest meal!) and whatever else they can find
- They have a deadly bacteria in their saliva and bitten animals soon die of infection, becoming the dragon’s meal
- Although rare, fatalities are not unheard of, mainly in the local community
- They have been listed as a vulnerable species on the IUCN list but luckily protected
- Dragons have an impressive appetite and can eat up to 80% of their own weight in one meal!
- They are ambush predators and can smell a prey from an impressive distance of 9km
- Komodo dragons live on Komodo, Rinca and Motang islands but people have recently reported sightings on Flores and Padar
- They are good swimmers and can move from one island to another although sighting them during their ablutions is rare
The Komodo dragon has captivated well before Westerners studied the first specimens. And the local people had their own stories and explanations about the lizard. This is the tale of the Dragon Princess (first published here):
“On Komodo Island lived a beautiful princess, called by the people ‘The Dragon Princess’. The Princess marries and gives birth to twins, one is a human boy called Gerong and the second is a female dragon, named Ora.
Gerong took residence with the humans in the village and Ora turned to the forest. Years passed and the twins grew into adults. One day, Gerong set out to hunt deer. He was successful and caught the deer and set about collecting it to take back to the people of the village. Suddenly, out of nowhere, appeared a large Komodo dragon which began feasting on the deer. Gerong tried to scare the dragon away, but it did not move, so he took out his bow and arrow and took aim.
Suddenly there was a bright flash of light and a beautiful woman appeared. It was his mother, The Dragon Princess. “Do not kill her,” The Dragon Princessimplored. “That is your twin sister, Ora.” Gerong put down his weapon and left the dragon in peace. From that point onwards, the people of Komodo Island lived harmoniously with the dragons and would not hunt or hurt them. The dragons could hunt freely on the island and when they were injured, their human brothers would come to their aid.”
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By Laura
