SKIMMING

THE DRAGONS' PARK

THE APEX PREDATOR OF INDONESIA

There is one place on Earth where dragons really do exist in the wild. Komodo National Park lies in the center of the Indonesian archipelago and is home to the world's largest lizard: the komodo dragon. Komodo dragons can grow to 9 feet in length and weigh more than 300 pounds.

The animal is named for its size and aggressive behavior. As an apex predator, the komodo dragon will eat almost anything, including deer, pigs, water buffalo, and even other dragons. The dragons use their camouflage to ambush prey. Powerful legs and sharp teeth and claws make easy work of smaller animals. Larger prey that may escape the initial attack are patiently tracked by the dragons as they slowly succumb to nearly 50 strains of bacteria found in the dragon's saliva.

In addition to the dragons, Komodo National Park is also home to 7 species of mammal, including the endemic rat and the crab-eating macaque, and around 70 species of bird. The waters surrounding the park are also rich with life, most notably blue and sperm whales, and several species of dolphin and sea turtle. Because of this rich diversity of wildlife, Komodo National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991.

Image credit: MikeLane45 / Thinkstock

SCANNING

THE DRAGONS' PARK

THE APEX PREDATOR OF INDONESIA

There is one place on Earth where dragons really do exist in the wild. Komodo National Park lies in the center of the Indonesian archipelago and is home to the world's largest lizard: the komodo dragon. Komodo dragons can grow to 9 feet in length and weigh more than 300 pounds.

The animal is named for its size and aggressive behavior. As an apex predator, the komodo dragon will eat almost anything, including deer, pigs, water buffalo, and even other dragons. The dragons use their camouflage to ambush prey. Powerful legs and sharp teeth and claws make easy work of smaller animals. Larger prey that may escape the initial attack are patiently tracked by the dragons as they slowly succumb to nearly 50 strains of bacteria found in the dragon's saliva.

In addition to the dragons, Komodo National Park is also home to 7 species of mammal, including the endemic rat and the crab-eating macaque, and around 70 species of bird. The waters surrounding the park are also rich with life, most notably blue and sperm whales, and several species of dolphin and sea turtle. Because of this rich diversity of wildlife, Komodo National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991.

Image credit: MikeLane45 / Thinkstock