Komodo

 

Friday, December 2, 2022

 Komodo

 This is the day which started our interest in the itinerary of the trip we’re on.  Ever since learning about the Komodo dragon as a child, I’ve had an interest in seeing them, and I’m unaware of any in zoos anywhere.

 Formally Varanus Komodoensis, the dragon is a lizard, which grows to an average length of eight to ten feet, and weighs about 150 pounds.  They are the largest species of lizard, and they mostly eat carrion but do also hunt and especially ambush prey.  It turns out to be a myth that they kill by injecting toxic bacteria into wounds:

 Dispelling what one expert calls a scientific fairy tale, a new study shows that the fierce lizards ooze venom, not toxic bacteria, into bites to help weaken and ultimately kill their prey.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/komodo-dragon-venom 

Komodo Island is quite beautiful from the sea: 

We went ashore at the entrance to the national park, where a model of a dragon is prominent: 

We broke into small groups of about ten, each with a park ranger, and started on a hike through the park: 

Shortly we saw our first dragon: 



We were allowed to pose behind them, but not alongside or in front.  They appear to be sleeping or resting, but they are quite able to ambush their prey.  We were told that they can eat 80% of their body weight in a single meal, and then may not eat again for a month: 

The dragons lay their eggs in abandoned boar lairs, and leave them; they may return and cannibalize their young.  The young survive on insects and palm seeds, which can be seen here along with a local pigeon:  


There is a snail here which has a brilliant yellow shell: 

As it seems I am able to (slowly) upload short videos, I have a short video of a dragon walking in the pouring rain:

 


 And here is the last one we saw.  


An amazing hike, unlike anywhere else in the world!  But hot, humid, and very wet.  We’ll sail to Flores Island overnight and visit a tribe deep inland where ikat is very special.

Comments

  1. Ralph P. LockeDecember 3, 2022 at 3:28 AM

    The colors on that last one that you saw are amazing: turquoise with a patina of tangerine! I suppose this helps them disappear against the forest floor.
    --Glad to learn about them, including their heartless behavior toward their young. Never hire a Komodo dragon as a babysitter!
    --Those claws are astounding--surely help the lizard make a quick meal of anything it stumbles upon.
    --Good idea not to pose in front of it or at its side!
    --Do they ever move quickly? (The short video showed one moving slowly.) Perhaps when pouncing on prey, I suppose.
    --Can you imagine the Westerners that first encountered these critters?!
    --Thanks for these glimpses.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rwa442December 3, 2022 at 6:06 AM

    Feels like what we'd call prehistoric! Are there native peoples also living nearby?

    ReplyDelete
  3. xctravelerDecember 3, 2022 at 10:24 AM

    These have always fascinated me. I do remember the tales of bacterial infection from their bite which I don't doubt would be a side effect if one survived the venom.

    ReplyDelete

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