The Komodo dragon largest extant population lives within the Komodo National Park in Eastern Indonesia. Males grow to a maximum length of 3 m (10 ft), weighing up to 150 kg (330 lb).

I got to Komodo Island as part of a 4 day, 3 night boat trip from Lombok island to Labuan Bajo, Flores island.

There’s no easier way to make that distance, other than flying.

Komodo dragons hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals — especially deer.

Here’s everyone from my boat.

Here a Komodo was successful in taking down a wounded deer. It’s pictured wearing a GPS collar used for tracking.

These deer can run about 3 times as fast. A Komodo dragon will lurk without moving near watering holes, trying to ambush a wild pig or deer.

I was surprised to see deer wandering around, seemingly ignoring the giant lizards. They know they can outrun, when healthy.

Komodo can eat 80% of their body mass in one meal — but only eat once or twice a month.

They haven’t been fed by humans for tourists since the early 1990s. Instead, watering holes have been built near to where tourists land to encourage a few to stick around. We saw quite a few in just an hour or so.

Females make many camouflage nests/holes to prevent other dragons from eating their eggs. They guard those eggs for months without eating.

When not in use by a Komodo, the orange-footed scrubfowl will use the nest.

Young Komodo dragons will eat insects, birds and bird’s eggs and small reptiles. Little ones can climb trees to avoid being cannibalized by adults who are too heavy.

A superb tourist stop.

Of course our guide set-up some photos for us. 😀