Komodo National Park was established in 1980 to conserve the Komodo dragon. The park covers western Flores, Komodo, Padar, Rinca, twenty-six smaller islands, and the surrounding waters.
dragons:
The Komodo dragon, Varanus komodoensis, is a monitor lizard found on Komodo, Rinca (where these photos were taken), Flores, Gili Motang, and Padar. It is the largest living species of lizard, growing to three meters in length and weighing up to 70 kg (150 lb). They eat invertebrates, birds, and mammals, and have been known to attack humans.
monkeys:
The crab-eating macaque or long-tailed macaque, Macaca fascicularis, lives in matrilineal social groups with a female dominance hierarchy. Male members leave the group when they mature.
deer:
The Timor rusa deer (Javan rusa or Sunda sambar), Rusa timorensis, is native to Indonesia and East Timor. There are seven subspecies. They are mostly active in early morning and late afternoon.
water buffalo:
The water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis, is not native to the Komodo dragon habitat.
pigs:
The banded pig or Indonesian wild boar, Sus scrofa vittatus, eats grass, roots, tubers, insects, seeds, fruits, snakes, and carrion, as well as frequently eating crabs at low tide. The pigs make up a large part of the diet of the Komodo dragon.
megapode birds:
The orange-footed srubfowl, Megapodius reinwardt, is a ground-dwelling bird about the size of a domestic chicken. There are five subspecies. Komodo dragons often lay their eggs in abandoned megapode nest mounds.
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Last modified 20 February 2019