KOMODO JURASSIC PARK

AND THE WORLD OF LAST DRAGON

By Atmosfer Indonesia Adventure Team

After having years of experiences in organizing adventures to the Komodo National Park besides daily researches and accompanying the scientists coming in Komodo island; Atmosfer Indonesia Tours caught a slice of knowledge that might be valuable to share to all people who interested to this World Heritage site and…… Man Biosphere Reserve.

GEOGRAPHY

Komodo National Park is a group of islands besides the ocean surroundings with its high diversity  of marine life and land those have been the home of the Komodo Dragon which are consists of Komodo Island, Padar, Rinca and Gili Motang. On those islands more than 2,000 Komodo naturally live and growing.   In 1980 the Komodo National Park officially established and also being declared  as the World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere  Reserve by UNESCO. The establishment of the Komodo national park was aimed to protect the Komodo Dragon and its environment as well as the biodiversity of the island. Komodo Dragons are considered endangered because of its limit range.

Komodo National Park totally over 58.000ha and the marine park is 132,000ha. Rinca Island is approximately 37 km long and 22 km wide and about 33,000 ha. Rinca Island is aproximately 24kms long, 21 km wide and about 19,000ha. Padar Island is approximately 8 km long 4 km wide and about 2.000ha. Gili Motang island is approximately 4 km long and 4 km wide.

The islands of Komodo National Park are generally young, oceanic volcanic islands which are constantly changing; rising eroding and subsiding into the sea. West Komodo was probably the first to form from volcanic activities in the Jurassic era about 130-135 million years ago. East Komodo, Padar and Rinca are younger and probably emerged in the Eocene era about 49 million years ago.

Most of Komodo island is made of masses of volcanic rock flanked by sandstone and conglomerates of limestone, sandy shale and clay. East Komodo, padar and Rinca are mainly very steep hills f coral limestone. The highest point in Komodo is Gunung Satalibo at 735 meters above sea level.  There are no ant active volcano on the Komodo National Park although the islands located in one of the world’s most active volcano belts. The closest volcano is Gili Banta just 10 km West of Komodo Island. Gili banta is a submarine volcano that last erupted in 1957. Gunung Sangeang Api is located on the Northwest Komodo Island last erupted in 1997 and still smoking from the northern peak.

Komodo Dragon live in one of the driest area in Indonesia where there are few permanent water sources. Extreme different temperature during the year in different habitat will influence the Komodo Dragon’s range.

CLIMATE & TEMPERATURE

There is  minim in the average of annual rainfall on the island which is less than 880mm per year.   Rain fall mainly in December to March. The climate is strongly effected by monsoon wind and the amount of moisture they bring in. From April to October dry Southeast trade winds from Australia bring very little moisture to the area. From January to February the Northwest monsoon comes in from Asia. The winds brings moisture with it but most of the moisture is dropped over the West Indonesia before it reaches the Island. The highest annual temperature on the Park is 43 degrees Celsius and the minimum is 17 degrees Celsius. November is the hottest month on the year. the hottest part  of the day is at noon  and just afterward. Komodo dragon  seek shades and rest when the weather is too hot. The highest humidity in February 86 % and the lowest humidity is in October 75% Komodo Dragons are less active in high humidity and in rain.

PEOPLE

There are a total of over 2,300 people living on the park. There are only three villages on the Park. Komodo Village has 1,400 people,Rinca Village has 1,074 people, and Kerora Villagehas 223 people. Most of the people in Komodo Village  are from Bima (East Sumbawa), Selayar (South Sulawesi) and Maggarai (West Flores). In Rinca Village the people come from the same places as Komodo Village but there are also Bajo people from Sulawesi. In Kerora Village , the people originally came from Bima and Manggarai.

There are some evidences that the original people of Komodo lived in Gunung Ara. Trees such as Jack fruits, coconut and Mango as well as remains of ceramics on Gunung Ara suggested that people once inhabited that area several hundred years ago. However the people of Komodo Village are thought to have settled there less than 100 years ago. There is a story that the settlers of Komodo Village were exiles from Bima.

Most people who live in the park are fishermen but there are also some merchants and also teachers. Local people carve the statue of Komodo Dragon for sale to the visitors.

FLORA

There are mixed of vegetation on Komodo National Park, It provides habitat and shades for different animals of the park. There are 254 plant species of Asian and Australian origin. Komodo Dragons are carnivorous and do not eat any of the vegetation. However the main prey of Komodo Dragon such as deer and wild boar feed on various leaves and fruits, flowers, root and grasses found on the park.

Most of Komodo Dragon are found in habitats below 250m above sea level. The most common habitat of Komodo Dragon are in steepa (hill of grassland), savanna, monsoon forest and mangrove forest.

SAVANNAH

More than 70% of the par is open savanna. This area is an important grazing ground for timor deer, wild boar, water buffaloes and horses. Lontar palms (borasus flavellifer) and Jujuby trees (Zizypus Jujuba) are scattered in the savanna. both trees are important shade producers. deer and board eat the fruits of Jujuby trees and the fruits of Lontar Palms are eaten by a variety of animals.

MONSOON FORESTS

Monsoon Forest is a dry tropical forest that is effected by the wet and dry seasons. This type of  forest is very fragile and is easily lost when cut down. Komodo Dragon are well camouflaged in this forest and can hide and ambush prey such as nesting bird or other lizards. Monsoon Forest are generally found surrounding the base of the hills or as gallery forest along the stream beds. Most of the monsoon forest are deciduous and loose their leaves  in the dry season. Dominant trees in the monsoon forest in Komodo and Rinca  include tamarind trees (Tamarindus Indicus)  and Sterculia foetida. Fruits and leaves of the Tamarind trees  are often eaten by dear and boar. Young Komodo are often found on the trees

MANGROVE FORESTS

Mangrove forest are made up of trees which live along the shoreline. Different species of mangrove trees can tolerate different amount of salty water. There are 26 types of mangroves in Komodo National Park.  The main tree of the Mangrove forest is Rhizopora  mucronata which grows close to the open water sometimes Komodo Dragon are found in the tangled roots perhaps looking for dead fishes

OTHER PLANTS AND TREES

There are so many species of plants and trees that can be found on the Park such as Jarak ((Jatropha curkas) that has many medical uses, Jujuby or Chinese Apple (Zizypus Sp), Prickly Pear Cactus, gebang (Corypha Utan), Tamarind Trees, Lontar Palm, Bombac ceipada) orchid and so on

ANIMALS IN KOMODO NATIONAL PARK

The many animals in Komodo National Park are important part of the ecology of Komodo Dragons.. The Komodo Dragon is top predator in its environment and all animal in the park are potential prey of the Komodo Dragon. The fauna is a combination of Asian and Australian species including 277 animal species of which 25 are protected. These includes 32 mammal species, 90 bird species and 36 reptil species.

KOMODO DRAGON

Komodo Dragons are the largest living lizards in the world. They are a type of monitor lizard of the Varanidae family. The largest Komodo Dragon can reach to 65 kilograms (365 pounds) in its weight and 3,13 meters in length. Female Komodo Dragons rarely grow over 2,5 meters (7 feet 6 inches) in length. But although they have a big in size and heavy in its weight, Komodo dragon can run. When frightened, Komodo Dragon can run up to 18 km/hour for a short distance. Usually they run at a slow trot of 8-10 km/hour. Scientists believe that Komodo can live up to 50 years or maybe longer.

It is quiet difficult to distinguish Female Komodo dragon from male Komodo Dragons. However, male Komodo Dragons have a special scale pattern at the base of their nail. Generally male grow larger than female. Komodo dragon remain large due there are no other large predator to compete with.

Young and small Komodo Dragon  spend most of their time on the trees, but dragon over 1,5 m long can not climb well and Dragons over 2 meters are too heavy to climb trees. Komodo Dragon can also swim at least 500 meters. However, they become sluggish in the water because the water cools their body temperature down. The Komodo Dragons are constantly regulating their body temperatures. In the early morning they must warm up their bodies in the sun. If their body temperature down too low the food in their stomach can rot and cause regurgitation or even death. however the Komodo dragon’s body temperature must not exceed 42 degrees Celsius (108 Degrees Fahrenheit). When it is too hot, they must rest and seek shade to prevent their body from over-heating.

<Komodo Dragons are most active from 6-10 am in the morning and again from 3-5 pm in the afternoon. During the rainy season Komodo Dragons stay in burrows if they are too cool. Komodo Dragons stay and sleep at night because it is usually too cool for them to be active. They sleep on the places where they will not loose too much heat; at the edge of savanna and monsoon forests or in burrows. The average sleeping burrows is only 75 cm to 1,25 m in length The Komodo Dragon will use the burrows of rodents, palm civet, wild boar, porcupine (on Flores) and those made by other Komodo Dragons. Nestling Burrow are about 2 meters long.

POPULATION AND HABITAT OF KOMODO DRAGON

There are about 3,300 Komodo Dragons in the Park and also in Flores island. 1997 surveys showed 1,687 Komodo Dragons in Komodo and 1,223 Komodo Dragons in Rinca. For every females, there are 3 males. A small percentage of females is a response to keep the komodo dragons population from growing up too quickly.

Komodo dragons are only found in in Komodo, Rinca , Gili Motang and a small part of North and  West Flores, They are recently extinct in Padar. Komodo dragons are thought to have lived over a larger area but may have been forced out of other islands due to human population pressure. As well the formation of the islands are always change over time. maybe it is difficult for them to cross the water now  because of strong currents

Komodo dragons can be found every where in Komodo and Rinca. They can be found in the monsoon forests, in the savanna, on the beach in the mangrove swamps and in burrows. Sometimes the younger ones are found in the trees. the Komodo dragons’ range is mostly from sea level 450m above sea level. Their location depends on their activity.

KOMODO ORIGINS

Komodo dragons are one of the oldest living lizards. Direct ancetors of the komodo dragons (Varanidae family) lived fifty million year ago. Komodo dragon may have descended from a larger lizard from Java or from Australia (Megalania prisca) which existed 30,000 years ago. Komodo dragon could be from Asia or Australia. One theory is that dragons island-hopped from java to Komodo. Another theory is that they swam from Australia to Timor until they reached Flores and Komodo

REPRODUCTION OF KOMODO

Female Komodo start mating when they are 7 years old and male dragons start mating when they are 8 years old. The mating season of Komodo Dragon is from July to August’ Female Komodo dragons product and deliver up to 30 eggs. The average numbers of eggs is 18 per clutch, one clutch per year. female dragons lay  their eggs in a burrow. Often they use the moud  of the scrub fowl. The female Dragon dig several false tunnels so that predators can not find the eggs easily. The Komodo Dragon eggs incubate for 8 – 9 months. The eggs hatch in March to April.

The average size of Komodo dragon eggs are 8,6 cm long with a diameter of 5.9 cm and weight of 105 grams The eggs are about the size of swan egg. The shells are soft and leathery. The baby dragons are average 30.4cm when they are born, but their size may vary from 28cm – 55 cm. And the average weight is 80.3 grams<

JUVENILE DRAGONS

The female dragons do not take care their young. They just guard their nest during the incubation period for about three months. The baby dragons must feed for themselves after they are born. The young drangons usually eat other small lizards, eggs, rats, snakes and insects those live in tree, stumps and logs. Young dragons up to two years old spend most of their time in trees to protect themselves from being eaten by larger dragons.

SENSES

Komodo dragon can see reasonably well but they rely more on smell than sight. Komodo is also able to hear the sounds but they often ignore sounds.

Komodo dragons flick their tongue to detect scents and smells. They use their tongue to pick up chemical particles in the air and ground them put them in their Jacobson’s organ located on the root of their mouth; this is a kind of “super nose”. Komodo can detect scents up to 5 km away. Depending on the wind they can smell up to11km away.

HUNTING AND FEEDING

Komodo dragons are carnivorous. The adults mainly prey on deer and wild boar and sometimes other Komodo dragons. If they can they will hunt water buffalo, palm civets, rates and birds. They will also eat domestic animals like dongs, chickens and goats. Occasionally they will eat snakes, sea turtle’s eggs, and monkey. Komodo dragons prefer to eat animals which are already dead (Carrion). They do not eat vegetables and plants as they are carnivorous.

Komodo dragons usually attack sleeping animals or wait in ambush. if they can not kill prey immediately they will try to bite the animal in the legs or throat. Later, they will follow and wait for the animal to be weak and die before they eat it.

The Komodo dragon’ saliva is actually not poisonous but highly septic. There are over sixty types of bacteria in the dragon’ saliva and at least one of them can cause septicemia. After prey is bitten it can take one day to couple of weeks to die from blood-poisoning. Dragons have small sharp curved teeth for grasping and ripping. Komodo dragons can eat up to 80% of its body weight at one time. For example, researchers saw a 42 kg dragon eat a 30 kg boar in 17 minutes. Dragons eat almost everything, only 8-13% of the carcass remain. Komodo dragon can eat when ever there is an opportunity. If there is no prey they will scavenge. They can go without eating for several weeks. Dragon usually eat or kill a prey about once a month. the droppings of Komodo are white due to uric acid. All reptiles even geckos have this in their droppings. The droppings are the  dragon’s waste products without water. The dragon’s body will try to conserve water especially if water is not water is not plentiful.

Komodo dragons need water to drink but not often. They drink a  lot  when it is available. They drink very little in the dry season from April to November. The dragon can get 70% of their water requirement from their prey.

PEOPLE AND DRAGON

Komodo dragons have no natural predator but deer poachers are their biggest threat. The prey/predator balance must be maintained for the Komodo to survive. In contrast, there has been at least 8 people are thought to have been attacked or eaten by the dragons.

When this islands being officially set at a National Park people fed the dragon but lately the Komodo dragons are no longer fed so that they can resume their natural activities. By feeding the dragons they are relying on humans for foods. Although the feedings have been stopped, the dragons still come to Banu Nggulung.  The watering holes in Banu Nggulang attract deer, wild boar, birds and those dragons. Some of the same dragons which were fed in the past have claimed the area as their territory.

The dragons also still come to the ranger stations. As opportunistic scavengers, they come to the ranger stations because of the smell of food. They are still wild animals  and are not tame. Their behavior is unpredictable.

For people (visitors), while crossing the National Park or the dragon’s zone, if the Komodo dragons approach, the best thing to do is get out of the way. If  you run the dragon may follow. the rangers also carry the a stick to stop dragons from approaching.

Come on….join our regular trip to Komodo