Monday 21 September 2015

One can never see too many Komodo dragons. Big ones, small ones, mommies, daddies and babies. Some were pretty frisky including the unnoticed one that came after my leg. I think he liked me. The more attentive guide whacked him to sulk away before we could bond. Although dragons can run up to 20 kph (almost 13 mph) they normally lie in wait to ambush lunch. Interestingly they have small, though sharp, teeth and don't rip prey apart as one might suspect. Particularly virulent oral bacteria is what kills deer and buffalo whose carcasses are allowed to rot for awhile to tenderize. Females lay up to 30 eggs in a nest where they hatch in 8 months. The little guys immediately head into the trees for 2 years so mom & dad won't eat them. Dragons have limited parenting skills.

Komodo Park, which came into existence in 1988, is a World Heritage Site. The animals are mostly protected except for a few fishing areas that the handful of inhabitants may use. No one living elsewhere is allowed. Apparently 3 years ago some yahoos came in, bombed the reef and were shot. They're not so strict with hooking and netting. Mostly authorities just blow up offenders boats with dynamite. Presumably, following such an occasion, everyone eats seafood for awhile then are required to shoot themselves.

Jack