KOMODO DRAGON,
THE NEW SEVEN WONDERS
Physical characteristics of Komodo
Komodo bears the Latin name Varanus komodoensis, it is the largest lizard in the world, with an average length of 2 to 3 meters. The locals call it by name Ora, also known as Naga komodo (komodo dragon) and Biawak Komodo (komodo monitor). Komodo has a long tongue, yellow and forked. Komodo dragons males larger than females. In the wild, adult Komodo dragon usually has a mass of about 70 kilograms. Moreover, this animals can see up to 300 meters and have even greater weight when kept in captivity. The largest Wild specimen which ever recorded has a length of 3.13 meters and weighs 166 kilograms. Claw length reaching 10 cm.A good swimmer and can dive in water up to a depth of 5 meters. Animals that do not have the ability to hear but has good intelligence, looks on while hunting or looking for prey, and it's not coming from the nose but by sticking out her tongue to detect taste and smell stimuli. Even more powerful again, it was awarded a venom and saliva which can be deadly. If there is prey such as deer, buffalo or boar affected by the bite of the Komodo dragon, in general the unfortunate victims of this will only survive for one week and instantly perish. In certain circumstances, Komodo can behave cannibal with the others Komodo.
Komodo Regeneration
As the animals in the class of reptiles, komodo dragons reproduce by laying eggs. Mating season takes place between July and August. Komodo males will fight fight over females. One month after the breeding season the female will find a hole in the ground to lay eggs. Once the spawn komodo dragons generally spend 15-30 eggs with an incubation period of between 8-9 months. Children dragons that hatch will take refuge in trees to avoid predators and cannibalism of adult dragons.
Startling facts were revealed. Adding to the list of wonders of wildlife passer today. Research in London proves komodo dragons can regenerate by parthenogenesis, ie fertilization that occurs without marriage. But this was allegedly the process of parthenogenesis will always produce a male Komodo dragon. And this perhaps is one way to protect the komodo dragons from extinction.
Evolution and History of Komodo
About 40 million years ago in Asia, species of komodo dragons that emerging starts with veranus genus, which then migrate to Australia. The next 15 million years ago, the giant lizard is likely to move into the territory now known as Indonesia, because meeting the continental shelf of Australia and Southeast Asia. Komodo dragons are believed to have evolved from ancestors Australia about 4 million years ago, and its distribution extends as far as until Timor.
When in 1910 the Dutch fleet find the mysterious creature allegedly "Dragon" inhabit the Lesser Sunda Islands. Furthermore, by Lieutenant Steyn van Hensbroek, a Dutch Colonial Administration officials in the region Flores followed up these findings. In 1912, Peter A. Ouwens, director of the Zoological Museum in Bogor
publish komodo to the world through his paper. In preaching, Ouwens to advise the name of the giant lizard "Varanus komodoensis" for dragons, as a substitute dubbed Komodo (Komodo Dragon). Believed to be unique and rare animals, in 1915 the Dutch government finally set the island of Komodo as a conservation area.
Habitat, Conservation, and Ecotourism
Living in an arid savanna barren, komodo dragons forming his own country in the Komodo National Park, and scattered on Komodo Island (1700 head), Rinca Island (1300 head), the island of Gili Montang (100 individuals), and Gili Dasami (100 individuals) . Animal incarnations jurasic era who liked the hot spot will keep body heat at night by making a nest in a hole as deep as 1-3 meters.
With a shrinking population, dragging the komodo dragons get listed in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of the Nature). Climate change-induced human meddling of such as slash and burning of logging, mining waste materials, can threaten the survival of these mega-reptiles. Plus human carelessness in hunting deer in excess, can harm the ecosystem balance in the island of Komodo. Therefore, the government in 1980 set the Komodo National Park as a conservation area. Furthermore, in recognition of the immense natural wealth of this world, an area of 1817 square kilometers is confirmed as a Man and Biosphere Reserve in 1986 as well as World Heritage Sites (World Heritage) by UNESCO in 1991.
Komodo National Park is more popularly known as the island of Komodo store millions of natural scenery and unique charm of its own. Areas in West Manggarai savanna forest there is in addition, there are also seasons in tropical forest dominated palm trees (Borassus flabellifer), mangroves and coral reefs. Not only that, the waters of Komodo Island with an area of 1214 kilometers is one of the world's richest marine areas. The beauty of the exotic underwater scenery, thousands of species of ornamental fish, sea mountains, sponges, coral reefs and semi-enclosed bays add to the length of the line flagship tourism potential in this land of dragons. The beauty of this marine waters so perfectly remembering this is a migration of 5 types of whales, 10 types of dolphins and mermaid.
Animals following a stretch of ancient heritage of outstanding natural beauty in the eastern part of Mother Earth is indeed a real miracle.
