The Dragons

09-Jun-2000

From a sign at the entrance of the park:

Varanus Komodoensis
Relatives of the Komodo Dragon have been found in fossil records in Australia. Today the Komodo Dragon is only found on the Islands of Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang and sometimes rarely on the western beaches of Flores. The population is currently at threat. in 1990 the population was estimated to be 3336 individuals with a male/female ration of 3.4 to 1.
The dragons are estimated to live for 50 years. reaching sexual maturity in 6-8 years. Mating occurs in July and August with the female laying 15-30 86mm long soft eggs in holes on hillsides or dry stream beds in August and September. These eggs hatch in 8-9 months. Hatchlings are about 35cm long and weigh an average of 80g. For the first 5 years young dragons live in trees, eating insects and geckos and avoid being eaten by larger dragons.
Komodo dragons are only active during the daylight hours, emerging from their holes around sunrise. During the day they are found in the open Savannah hunting for Dear, pig, buffalo and horse. They are well camouflaged and wait along a game trail to ambush their prey.
They have a huge appetite; a 2m long 50kg dragon can devour a 40kg pig or dear in one meal.

Entrance to Komodo National Park



A World Heritage Site



Butterfly sex










Here Be Dragons!


Dragon Stalking




Spiders



Remains of a dragon's meal



The Dragon's Lair



Orchids



Flirting with fire



Group shot (from Left to right: Debbie, Marion, Ranger, Frank, Jason, Diane, Kevin, Brent, Robert, SGK, Johan, Beau, Michiel. Una was being a brat and didn't want to participate)



Retreat!



Oink! Brent wanted this guy for dinner