Tourists observing a Komodo dragonKomodo (Varanus Komodoensis) is a giant reptile, which is also the highest predator in the food chain in his home habitat. it is believed to be the ancient reptile from dinosaur's age that still survives. Now that they are dying out, it is important for everyone to keep them from extinction. Komodo was scientifically researched by a European in 1910. Furthermore, in 1912 Peter Ouwens, the director of Bogor's Zoology Museum, introduced the reptile to the world through his research paper. He finally associated the giant reptile as the icon or the logo of the museum.
This animal is a member of reptile (Varanidae) family. A mature komodo may reach up to three meters long and 45-140 kg weight. They were also known as bad-sighted carnivores. Nonetheless, never doubt their hunting skill. Their gigantic size combined with brilliant strategy in targeting their prey have made them sit on the top position of food chain in their habitat. Through its supersensitive tongue, it could sense its prey from 12 km away. Komodo's tongue can smell its prey by capturing the chemical particle on the air as well as on the ground.
Its saliva filled with about 60 different kinds of bacteria that can be lethal to the infected victim.This animal, which like to dwell in the ditches, sneaks to find its prey. When Komodo feels that a prey is in the right distance, he ambushes the prey and leaves a bite mark. He will then leave his prey dying from his venomous bite. Unlike snake whose venom stored in its fang, Komodo's venom were originated in its saliva filled with about 60 different kinds of bacteria that can be lethal to the infected victim. However, this venom is harmless to other Komodo alike.
Besides eating without chewing, this gigantic reptile can also filled its tummy with 2.5 kg food within one minute. Komodo needs to be fed at least as much as 80 percent of its body weight. That's equal to an adult eating 400 hamburgers in one sit. After they satisfied with their food, they can survive without eating for a couple weeks until his stomach empty again.
Area with tropical climate is the suitable habitation for this rare primitive reptile. Komodo needs an area with a temperature of 40° C, considering its characteristics as a cold-blooded animal, they have to keep their body temperature above 23° C. If their body temperature were too low, the food int heir stomach may rot causing them to vomit or even in some circumstances, it can be lethal. If they feel the day is too hot, Komodo will rest itself under the three shades or dip its body in the mud or pools of water.
Komodo dragon, walking on a mudflatIf you want to observe Komodo's characteristics and activities directly, you can visit Nusa Tenggara archipelago specially Komodo island, Rinca and Padar island which located around East Nusa Tenggara and Big Sumbawa, Indonesia. Komodo island and its surrounding have the average temperature of 40° C which makes the perfect environment for Komodo to live and reproduce their offspring.
Physically, it is difficult to differentiate a male Komodo from a female. An easy way to find out is by looking at its stomach; the male has a bigger tummy than the female Komodo. A distinguish mark can be found in the skin pattern below its upper tail. Last survey from Komodo National Park recorded that male Komodos outnumbered its female counterpart in the comparison of one female every three male Komodos. Just like the other animals, this icon ofof Komodo Island sometimes has to fight for a dominated area, especially during the mating season on June and July.
During the dry season, around August, the temperature duting the day can reach up to 43° C. This is the ideal condition for Komodo to produce their offspring. many pregnant female Komodos were looking for hiding places to deliver their eggs. Their favourite hiding places are orange-footed scrubfowl (Megapodius reinwardt) nests for they were deep in the jungle and less likely to be disturbed by other animals. In addition to this, the land structure which similar to the hill and the deep holes were ought to be safe for these future little Komodos. A hole usually filled with up to 38 eggs which were guarded the mother until they come out the shells.
In February and March little Komodos are coming out of their eggshells. Mainly they are 40cm lng and 100g in weight. In five year those little Komodos grew reaching up to two metres long and live their life until they are 30 years old.
Since its birthday, little Komodos have to live on their own facing the harsh reality of the wild life. An abundance of predators such as birds, bigger Komodos and even their own parents were threating their needs to survive.With their physical limitations, they tried to survive until they reach mature age and become predators themselves. Mainly, they avoid those predators by climbing the trees. They can climb a tree up to 20 metres high and adult Komodos don't have this skill. Little Komodos have yellow spots and dark fleck in their bodies. These spots help to disguise them from their enemy when they were on a tree trunk. They also have a pair of strong claws to help them defending themselves from other animal's attacks. In addition to this, they can also run very fast up to 20 km/h.Little Komodos live their life on threes until they were three years old. They eat many kinds of animals that live on the tree such as small lizards, bugs and birds. After that stage, they start to live on the ground and automatically expanding their food sources. Young Komodos eat squirrels, boars and leftover foods from adult Komodos. Young Komodos always keep their distance with adult Komodos because of their inabilities to compete with the elder in obtaining foods. When they grew up, these young Komodos will be the main predator just like their older compatriots hunting bigger animals to fulfil their huge appetite. This time their preys are deer and buffalo.
Komodo attacts human. More than a dozen of people have become the victim of Komodo's attacks in the last 30 years.
The number of Komodo living in Flores Island in Indonesia, based on latest records from wikipecia.org, is around 2.500 Komodos. Komodo Island has 1.100, Rinca Island has 1.300, Gili Motang Island covers 50, 70 in Nusa Kode and Flores has around 70 Komodos.
Komodo Village - Komodo IslandKomodo National Park was built in 1980, hence protected by government. Although protected, it doesn't mean that Komodos are free from threat. Diseases and the declining number of Komodo's prey like deer, buffalo and boars are the main threats of Komodo's survival needs. The spread and Komodo's population have been declining in the last three decades. This is because many illegal deer hunting activities in the last 20 years were conducted within Komodo's habitat. Moreover, Komodos in Padar Island was extinct in 1990s although they still can be found in 1980s.
Another threat for Komodos's life is forest-fite. The forest-fire happens almost every year. The fire was suspected coming from a traditional stove made by the fishermen spending nights in that island. The fire burned the grass and other plantation that feed the deer and other Komodo's preys.
Regular patrols in the area of Komodo National Park is an attempt to stop Komodo from extinction. Patrol rangers usually look for illegal hunter and woodcutter that troubled Komodo's food sources. Fortunately, these rangers don't work alone in protecting the Komodo, along with local people of Komodo village, Rinca, Kerora and Papagarang who live in coastal area of the national Park. Whatever they do, they only try to protect Komodo from extinction.
It is never enough to count ont he effort of those rangers and local people in protecting the Komodo. The government should be more proactive in protecting this rare anumal. Everyone can also participate in saving Komodo from extinction through donation to official authorities that works in the field. As we all know, Konodo is a form of Indonesia identity which existence can be enjoyed to date. If they extinct how can our descendants enjoy their existence as Indonesian.
