On the island of Komodo dragons animals live and breed well

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.

On the island of Komodo dragons animals live and breed well. Until August 2009, on this island there are about 1,300 dragons tail. Coupled with other islands, such as Island and Rinca and Gili Motang, their numbers totaled about 2500 tails. There are also approximately 100 individuals dragons in Wae Wuul Nature Reserve on the mainland island of Flores, but not including the Komodo National Park.

Besides Komodo, the island is also store a variety of exotic flora Sepang timber which by local people used as medicine and dye clothes, this nitak tree or sterculia oblongata in the believe is useful as medicines and seeds are tasty and delicious like peas.

History

In 1910 the Dutch named the island in the southern province of East Nusa Tenggara is the nickname of Komodo Island. This story begins with Lieutenant Steyn van Hens Broek who tries to prove statements about the presence of Dutch troops large animal resembling a dragon on the island. Steyn then killed a dragon and bring documentation to the Museum and Botanical Garden in Bogor to be investigated.

Called the island of Komodo dragon does not mean that the island-like dragons, but the island there are many reptiles called dragons. Komodo Island is situated in the ranks of Flores island in eastern Indonesia.

According to the story, Komodo island tour begins with a story about a giant dragon. Many sailors who recounts that the dragon is more like a scary monster. Large tail can knock down a buffalo with a single flick. Jaws were large and strong, to be able to swallow a wild pig in one motion. And from his mouth constantly spewing fire.

This story has circulated widely and could attract much attention, but at that time no one dared to approach the island because the story went.

The Dutch military mariners to report that the creature-sized Komodo possibility to seven meters in length, with a giant body and mouth are constantly spewing fire. Lieutenant Steyn van Hensbroek, an official of the Dutch colonial administration in the region of Flores heard these reports and stories that surround the island of Komodo. He also planned a trip to Komodo Island.

After arming himself and took a team of trained soldiers, he landed on the island. After several days on the island, Hensbroek managed to kill a strange species.

He took him to headquarters and length measurements were taken that catch length about 2.1 meters. The shape is very much like a lizard. Animals were then photographed (documented) by Peter A Ouwens, director of the Zoological Museum and Botanical Gardens Bogor, Java. This is the first documentation of the dragons.

Ouwens interested in finding these strange animals. He then recruited a cunning hunter to capture specimens for him. The hunters managed to kill two dragons tail measuring 3.1 meters and 3.35 meters, plus the capture of two chicks, each measuring one meter below.

Based on the catch of the hunters, Ouwens conducted research and concluded that the Komodo dragon is not a flamethrower, but including the type of monitor lizard (monitor lizard) in the class of reptiles.

The results of this study later published in a newspaper published in 1912. In the news, Ouwens advise the name of the giant lizard Varanus komodoensis nickname instead of the Komodo Dragon (Komodo Dragon).

Realizing the significance of endangered species komodo, the Dutch government issued a regulation and protection of dragons and Komodo Island in 1915. Be region as the Komodo dragon conservation area.

Findings komodo dragon living legend, curious world. Several scientific expeditions from different countries take turns conducting research on Komodo Island.

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a large species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Motang. Komodo dragons have thrived in the harsh climate of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands for millions of years, although amazingly, their existence was unknown to humans until about 100 years ago. Reaching 10 feet (3 meters) in length and more than 300 pounds (136 kilograms), Komodo dragons are the heaviest lizards on Earth. They have long, flat heads with rounded snouts, scaly skin, bowed legs, and huge, muscular tails.

As the dominant predators on the handful of islands they inhabit, they will eat almost anything, including carrion, deer, pigs, smaller dragons, and even large water buffalo and humans. When hunting, Komodo dragons rely on camouflage and patience, lying in wait for passing prey. When a victim ambles by, the dragon springs, using its powerful legs, sharp claws and serrated, shark-like teeth to eviscerate its prey.
Animals that escape the jaws of a Komodo will only feel lucky briefly. Dragon saliva teems with over 50 strains of bacteria, and within 24 hours, the stricken creature usually dies of blood poisoning. Dragons calmly follow an escapee for miles as the bacteria takes effect, using their keen sense of smell to hone in on the corpse. A dragon can eat a whopping 80 percent of its body weight in a single feeding.
There is a stable population of about 3,000 to 5,000 Komodo dragons on the islands of Komodo, Gila Motang, Rinca, and Flores. However, a dearth of egg-laying females, poaching, human encroachment, and natural disasters has driven the species to endangered status.