Komodo island is an island located in Indonesia, precisely in the Nusa Tenggara archipelago. Komodo Island is known as the Komodo dragon’s natural habitat. This island is also the Komodo National Park, which is managed by the Central Government of Indonesia. Komodo Island to the west of Sumbawa Island, separated by Sape Strait.
Administratively, this island including the District of Komodo, West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Komodo Island is the most western tip of Nusa Tenggara Timur province, bordering the province of West Nusa Tenggara.
Komodo National Park
Komodo Island is part of Komodo National Park is located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. This National Park was established in 1980, initially with the main objective is to preserve the park’s unique Komodo dragon (Varanus Comodoensis) and its habitat. However, over the years, the Park has been expanded to protect all biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. In 1986, the Park has been declared a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, both indications of the Garden of biological importance.
Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca, and Padar, and several small islands make a total surface area (marine and terrestrial) of 1817km (proposed extensions would bring the total surface area up to 2321 km2).
Komodo Dragon (Veranus Comodoenss)
Komodo dragon or in the local language called “Ora” included in the reptile with a long reach 10 ft (3 m) and weigh up to 300 pounds (135 kg) made the Komodo dragons are the biggest lizard in the world. Komodo dragons are allied with Mossaur, namely ancient lizards that lived about 136 to 65 million years ago. The characteristic of Komodo is a forked tongue like a snake and can swallow large prey whole, with a tapered head and can move quickly. Komodo dragons are ferocious predators, they prey on insects, eggs, birds, small mammals, and carrion crow. The mouth of the komodo carries the deadly bacteria, the bite can be deadly. A recent study suggests that the dragons have poison glands in the mouth that produce toxins to paralyze prey.
In Komodo Island, Komodo dragons live and breed well. Until now, their numbers totaled about 5,700 Komodo dragons on Komodo island.
