The Varanidae family includes the Komodo dragon, or Varanus komodoensis, which is the largest living species on Earth. Found only in Indonesia, Komodo inhabits the Komodo National Park, consisting of three large islands (Komodo, Rinca, and Padar) and two small islands (Gili Motang and Nusa Kode) in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Therefore, Komodo is considered one of Indonesia’s native animals. Tourists are drawn to Komodo because of its large size. Unfortunately, in 2021, the IUCN listed the Komodo as an endangered species.
Facts about the Komodo: To get a closer look at them, here is a detailed explanation.
- Classification and Evolution of the Komodo: Komodo did not exist before World War I; in fact, they are a species of lizard that evolved in isolation on the island of Salam for millions of years. Currently, the primary habitat of Komodo is only found in a few islands in Indonesia. The Komodo is not only the largest lizard in the world but also one of the most aggressive and dangerous. Their strength enables them to kill animals larger than themselves.
- Anatomy of the Komodo’s Body: The Komodo is a large reptile weighing up to 150 kilograms and can grow up to three meters long. With a long, thick body, short muscular legs, and a strong tail, they are incredibly powerful. The Komodo’s tail stands on its hind legs to fight and support the animal. They also have claws that are often used for digging, which are long, sharp, and curved. The Komodo’s head is relatively small compared to its large, wide body. Their powerful jaws conceal a mouth full of deadly bacteria and sharp teeth. Their skin is grayish-brown with small scales and folds around their neck. Although Komodo can see, their forked tongue is more used to smell what is around them.
- Komodo Behavior: Komodos are powerful and solitary predators, with a daily roaming range of about 2 km depending on the individual’s size. They are known for being excellent swimmers, traveling long distances from one island to another. While they typically live alone, Komodos sometimes gather around carcasses. Patiently waiting for hours, they hide behind trees, camouflaged by their gray-brown skin, to ambush large prey. When the moment comes, they strike with unmatched speed and strength.
- Distribution and Habitat of Komodos: Currently, Komodos only inhabit five islands in Indonesia, all of which are part of the Komodo National Park. These large creatures reside on Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang, Padar, and the western tip of Flores. They live in open forests with dry savannas, bush-covered hillsides, or occasionally in dried-up riverbeds. Due to the extinction of many large mammal species and the lack of other large predators, Komodos are believed to have evolved to their impressive size.
- Reproduction and Life Cycle: Komodos live in groups during the mating season, which occurs around September. They also feed on large carrion. Standing on their hind legs supported by their tails, males typically fight for breeding rights. After mating, females lay up to twenty-five eggs in a hole dug in soft sand. The eggs hatch after eight to nine months. Once they emerge from their shells, young Komodos can immediately fend for themselves. However, Komodo juveniles climb trees and spend most of their time there until they are large enough to hunt on the ground independently. On average, Komodos live up to thirty years in the wild.
- Komodo Diet: Komodo is a carnivorous predator that feeds on pigs, goats, deer, horses, and buffaloes, among other large animals. Younger Komodos prey on smaller animals, especially those in trees like birds, lizards, or snakes, even if the ambush fails. They also consume much smaller animals, such as snakes. Although Komodo’s sharp teeth never fail to tear the flesh, as the flesh is not suitable for chewing, Komodo tears the flesh and throws it into its mouth, swallowing it whole with the help of its flexible neck muscles.
- Komodo’s Bite and Venom: Komodo’s saliva contains fifty types of toxic bacteria that grow in the remains of the flesh, causing bite wounds to quickly become infected. Because Komodo’s venom accelerates blood loss, lowers blood pressure, causes severe bleeding, and prevents wound clotting, a Komodo bite can lead to shock. To combat this, the condition weakens and paralyzes the prey, including humans. In addition to tearing with its teeth, Komodo also employs a bite-and-pull technique to tear its prey’s flesh, which can cause deep wounds.
- The Conservation Status of Komodo: Between 1996 and 2021, the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classified the Komodo as a vulnerable species. However, in 2021, the IUCN decided to reclassify the Komodo as an endangered species due to climate models indicating that up to 30% to 70% of its habitat will be lost due to sea-level rise by 2040. The decline in the Komodo population has led to its inclusion in the IUCN Red List, granting legal protection. Reducing the number of tourists to Komodo Island, Padar Island, and their surrounding waters is one way to protect the Komodo.
