Indonesia, renowned for its extraordinary biodiversity, hosts creatures that seem straight out of another world. The Komodo Dragon stands out as one of these marvels. After reading this, you will know much more about these fantastic and mysterious creatures and how you can meet them up close.
Here are some fun and interesting facts about the Komodo Dragon
The Komodo Dragon: A Mysterious Giant
This remarkable predator can reach lengths of up to 3 meters and weigh as much as 100 kg. Surprisingly, it can move at an incredible speed of 20 km/h.
The Exceptional Reproduction of the Komodo Dragon
What adds to the species’ uniqueness is its distinctive mode of reproduction. Females can reproduce asexually through a process known as parthenogenesis, a rare phenomenon among higher vertebrates. Consequently, this means they can give birth without the need for males.
A Formidable Predator
With its formidable bites, this impressive predator inflicts deep wounds on its prey, often targeting larger animals like water buffalo, deer, and pigs. Once bitten, the prey typically has less than 24 hours to live before succumbing, providing the Komodo Dragon with carrion for a meal.
Unveiling the Mysteries of its Saliva
For a long time, it was believed that bacteria in the saliva of the Komodo Dragon were responsible for hindering the healing of bites and causing septicaemia in their victims. However, Australian researchers revealed in 2013 that these toxins originated from glands located in the varan’s lower jaw. Consequently, these substances can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure in their prey.
Fun Fact
The Komodo Dragon has an incredible power sense of smell that can travel up to 9km. Some stories even say that one of these dragons ventured into the house of a forest ranger, attracted by the stench of his dirty socks, leading him to believe that he was potential prey.
Where can we see Komodo Dragons?
The Komodo dragon is what is known as an endemic species, meaning that it only lives in certain very specific parts of the world. In this case, it can be seen on a few islands in Indonesia. The only islands in the world with Komodo dragons are the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang, Gili Dasami, and Flores. It is estimated that there are just 5,000 of these amazing creatures.
How to get there?
The easiest way to get to the Komodo National Park is to take a flight to Labuan Bajo, on the west coast of the island of Flores. Labuan Bajo is just an hour and a half flight away from Bali. From Labuan Bajo, you can either join a day trip heading to Rinca or Komodo island or go on a 2 to 5 days cruise around the National Park.
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