Lay off the poor Komodo dragons already
Didja hear about the scuba divers who got swept out to sea in Indonesia and luckily made it to an island where they spent two nights before being rescued? Certainly a traumatic ordeal and thank goodness a happy ending, but I really can't take any more of this reporting about shark-infested waters and fending off Komodo dragons. It's just not fair to the poor Komodo dragon. Yes, they have sharp bacteria-laden teeth that can kill and they have killed the occasional person before but seriously, they are mostly big fat lazy lizards who like to bask in the sun like regular old tiny lizards. Don't get me wrong... no way I want to go swimming or sleeping with Komodos, but the media is sensationalizing a story that needs no further sensations.
We've been to Komodo island twice (and of course diving through that chain of islands and the marine park there) so I feel a little sensitive on behalf of my lizardy buddies. If you do ever go to Komodo, let me give you a hot tip. You can go on the nature hike and maybe find some dragon nest areas and all but if you want to maximize your dragon interaction and photo-ops then hang out at the ranger station. Especially hang out around the ranger station when the cook is prepping a meal (and the tourists are on the hike) because they just toss meat scraps right out the window and that is one time you'll see the otherwise slow-moving Komodo dragon come to life, scrambling and snapping at the scrap like a domestic dog. Well like a dog with really huge claws. But really, they are otherwise mellow dudes.
I also got to see baby Komodos at the ranger station. They look like little alligators and live in the trees while they are wee. Unfortunately, I can't find any of my baby photos.
The big ones look like this (videographer in the background is fellow traveler, Roger):
You can get quite close, but I wouldn't recommend it if you have sushi breath.
We've been to Komodo island twice (and of course diving through that chain of islands and the marine park there) so I feel a little sensitive on behalf of my lizardy buddies. If you do ever go to Komodo, let me give you a hot tip. You can go on the nature hike and maybe find some dragon nest areas and all but if you want to maximize your dragon interaction and photo-ops then hang out at the ranger station. Especially hang out around the ranger station when the cook is prepping a meal (and the tourists are on the hike) because they just toss meat scraps right out the window and that is one time you'll see the otherwise slow-moving Komodo dragon come to life, scrambling and snapping at the scrap like a domestic dog. Well like a dog with really huge claws. But really, they are otherwise mellow dudes.
I also got to see baby Komodos at the ranger station. They look like little alligators and live in the trees while they are wee. Unfortunately, I can't find any of my baby photos.
The big ones look like this (videographer in the background is fellow traveler, Roger):
You can get quite close, but I wouldn't recommend it if you have sushi breath.