Komodo Island is an island located in the
Nusa Tenggara Islands. Komodo Island is known as a habitat for native animals
dragons. This island is also the Komodo National Park which is managed by the
Central Government. Komodo Island in the eastern island of Sumbawa, which are
separated by the Sape Strait.
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.
After World War I, a scientific
expedition designed to conduct research dragons. In 1926, the expedition led by
W. Douglas Burden from the American Museum of Natural History with the most
modern research tools, doing research for months.
The expedition which
involves dozens of people were caught 27 animals dragons. They perform surgical
anatomy and identification of species. From this first comprehensive scientific
report on the Komodo dragon is made.
Described that the dragons have a large head and strong, has a pair of shining
eyes, her skin was hard, thick and wiry. Having kelambir wrinkled skin under
her neck.
The shape is similar to a lizard, with four big fat legs and tail are also a
big fat long. Has 26 sharp teeth, each measuring 4 cm, has a forked tongue is
bright red. If viewed from a distance, the tongue is extended to resemble a
fire, because dragons are often stuck out his tongue like a snake.
Komodo also skilled hunters. He relies on the bite and poison the bacteria in
his saliva to paralyze prey. He will follow prey that have been hurt for days,
until finally died, then he ate it. As a carnivore and scavenger (scavengers),
dragons are only found on the island of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, Gili Motang Owadi
and Samiin. Komodo dragons are also known as a champion of animal swimming.
That's how he was doing exploration on the islands around Flores. Meanwhile, in
the mid-20th century, in Australia discovered fossils of ancient creatures that
once studied very similar to the dragons. Based on carbon test, the fossil was
believed to have originated from the period 60-30 million years ago. This means
that dragons once inhabited mainland Australia in prehistoric times.
But researchers are still puzzled by
the relationship with the fossil Komodo dragons from Australia. Although the
earth's geological history indicates that the former Australia and some islands
of Indonesia is one plate, but the Komodo Island is estimated to form about 1
million years ago.
While based on
research, prehistoric dragons are extinct at least 30 million years ago, prior
to Komodo Island is formed. So why dragons are found only on Komodo Island and
its surroundings? Since when did inhabit the island of Komodo dragons? While it
is never found traces of rawhide dragons elsewhere (except Australia). This is
one mystery that demands further research.
Komodo Island is the NEW 7 Wonders of The World
- Komodo Island
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 wood by local people
Sepang which is used as a 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.
- The Inhabitants of Komodo Island
Komodo dragons are native to islands of Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. The
island's most lots occupied by dragons are named according to the name of this
animal when found in 1910, namely the island of Komodo (Komodo Island).
These giant lizards, including the nearly extinct animal, with a population of
less than 4,000 wild birds. To protect the Komodo dragon, in 1980 agreed to
form a conservation area in the form of Komodo National Park on Komodo Island
and small islands around it.
Distribution and population of dragons in the past three decades
is declining and increasingly threatened its existence, mainly due to hunting
deer, as its main prey. Even the population on the island of Padar known to
have been lost since the late 1990s, whereas in the early 1980s, the Komodo
dragon can still be found there. Attention and conservation of this species
should be given in particular, because the population of dragons on the verge
of extinction.
For some residents on the
island of Komodo, these animals are considered more dangerous to humans than
crocodiles, because the content of bacteria in their saliva that can cause
severe infections.
Typically, dragons mating season occurs between June to July. In August, female
dragons will dig a nest of birds nest mound former Coral (Megapodius
Reindwardt) on the hill and nest hole in the ground, to keep their eggs which
can reach 38 points. Eggs are usually guarded by its mother, but the new child
born in February or March is not maintained, even frequently eaten.
Komodo dragons take five
years to grow to the size of two feet and can live for up to 30 years. Entering
the initial period of 4-5 years are sexually mature dragons.
Silahkan baca "Dukungan untuk Pulau Komodo"
untuk mengetahui cara memberi dukungan bagi Komodo Island agar menang dan demi
nama baik bangsa kita !!!
