The Komodo Dragon is the last remaining largest living lizard from the Megalania Prisca family. Historically, 900,000 years ago, its ancestors migrated to Indonesia via a land bridge. During the ice age, this bridge broke, trapping all the animals that had migrated to the island and preventing them from returning to their original home. They have lived there permanently ever since.
The Komodo Dragon was first discovered by Van Steyn Van Hensbroek, a Dutch military officer, in 1912. He sent photographs to the zoological garden in Bogor, and information about this unique animal quickly spread worldwide, particularly among scientists.
The Komodo Dragon is a strictly protected species living in Komodo National Park. Despite being top predators, they face problems with illegal hunting. Poachers often enter the park through small, unmonitored paths to hunt deer. Another threat to the Komodo Dragon is climate change, which could disrupt their way of life.
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These dragons can grow up to 3 meters in length and weigh 90 kilograms. They are carnivorous and cannibalistic. After hatching, baby dragons stay in trees to avoid adult ones. Before 1994, the park authorities used to feed the Komodo Dragons, but this practice was criticized by visitors who felt that these wild animals should find their own food and not lose their natural hunting instincts.
Komodo Dragons are cold-blooded animals. In the morning, they bask to regulate their body temperature. At noon, when it’s too hot, they seek shade to avoid overheating.
They can swim up to 500 meters and move between islands. However, this has become more challenging due to strong currents and whirlpools.
These creatures are dangerous, and all visitors must be accompanied by a ranger when trekking in the park. There have been several accidents where people were bitten or eaten by Komodo Dragons. One notable incident involved a Swiss tourist named Baron Rudolf in 1974, whose entire body was consumed by a Komodo dragon, leaving only his camera and glasses as a grim reminder. Other incidents include Komodo dragons biting local residents in Komodo and Rinca villages.
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