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| Komodo Dragons - Indonesia |
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| Beach - Komodo Island, Indonesia |
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| Wayne 'Captures' a Komodo Dragon - Indonesia |
Komodo, Indonesia (11/4/2009)
Komodo Island is famous for the Komodo dragon (giant monitor lizard), the largest living species of lizard dating back to dinosaur times. These ‘lizards’ can grow to almost 10 feet long weighing over 300 pounds.
Komodo Island is famous for the Komodo dragon (giant monitor lizard), the largest living species of lizard dating back to dinosaur times. These ‘lizards’ can grow to almost 10 feet long weighing over 300 pounds.
Even though Komodo dragons have poor hearing and eyesight, they have a fearsome reputation having a strong tail as long as its body and lethal saliva that kills their victims in a few days.
The Komodo dragon uses its tongue (Jacobson’s organ) to detect, taste, and ‘smell’ so they are dangerous day and night. In brief sprints, Komodo dragons can run up to 12 mph. They can swim well following prey into and under water.
A Komodo dragon can eat up to 80% of its own body weight in one meal and can swallow a whole goat. Because of its slow metabolism, a large meal could last a Komodo dragon a whole month.
The Komodo dragon uses its tongue (Jacobson’s organ) to detect, taste, and ‘smell’ so they are dangerous day and night. In brief sprints, Komodo dragons can run up to 12 mph. They can swim well following prey into and under water.
A Komodo dragon can eat up to 80% of its own body weight in one meal and can swallow a whole goat. Because of its slow metabolism, a large meal could last a Komodo dragon a whole month.
Baby Komodo dragons live in the trees for 3-4 years to avoid predators including adult dragons. A little over 2,000 Komodo dragons are located on four islands.
We visited the Komodo National Park on Komodo Island, now an UNESCO World Heritage site, where we saw several dragons up close and the Timor deer (carrion) they mostly feed on. Komodo Island itself is pretty surrounded by many smaller striking islands.
Please see our other 3 posts on interesting Indonesia:
Bali, Indonesia
Jakarta (Capital), Indonesia
Makassar (Ujung Pandang), Indonesia
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| Dock on Komodo Island, Indonesia |
Please see our other 3 posts on interesting Indonesia:
Bali, Indonesia
Jakarta (Capital), Indonesia
Makassar (Ujung Pandang), Indonesia
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