Rinca Island, Indonesia Photograph by © WWF-Canon/Michel TERRETTAZ   Southeastern Asia: Lesser Sundas Islands, Indonesia Tropical and Subtropical Dry Broadleaf Forests   15,200 square miles (39,400 square kilometers) -- about twice the size of Massachusetts Critical/Endangered

· Tracks of the Komodo
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Tracks of the Komodo

On a string of islands in the Java Sea, a unique and somewhat intimidating creature can be found: the Komodo dragon. The Komodo is not really a dragon, of course, but a lizard--and at 10 feet (3 m) long and 200 pounds (90 kg), it is the largest lizard in the world. With still-active volcanoes rumbling in the background, the Komodo dragon has quite a presence in this distinctive landscape.

Special Features

This ecoregion encompasses the semi-evergreen dry forests of the Lesser Sunda Islands, also known as Nusa Tenggara. With an average annual rainfall of 53 inches (1350 mm), this region is the driest in all of Indonesia. Unlike tropical wet climates found on other Indonesian islands, the dry climate here has led to distinct vegetation types, primarily monsoon forests and savanna woodlands. Monsoon forests contain a mix of moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest, dry thorn forest, and dry evergreen forest. At the highest elevations, tall Podocarpus and Englehardia trees are laced with lianas and epiphytes such as orchids. Summits feature lichens, mosses, grasses, and herbs, but this landscape is being eroded.

The Komodo dragon can kill prey up to 15 times its size by biting an animal and allowing its germ-infested saliva to sicken it. After the animal dies, the lizard tracks down its rotting body by picking up the scent with its forked tongue. The Komodo then tears off large chunks of flesh and swallows them whole, sometimes unhinging its jaws to swallow pieces larger than its head! A Komodo can consume as much as 80 percent of its weight in a single meal.

Wild Side

The Komodo dragon is without a doubt the best-known endemic species of this ecoregion. This powerful lizard is patient, waiting secretly for prey to wander into its path before lunging. Although its favorite foods are deer and wild boar, the dragon will also eat other Komodos if necessary. The Komodo rat is also one of five endemic species of about 50 mammal species found here. About 275 species of birds find shelter in these dry forests, and 17 are endemic. Three of the endemic species are threatened: the Wallace’s hanging parrot, Flores monarch, and Flores crow.

Cause for Concern

More than half of this ecoregion’s natural habitat has been cleared, mainly for agriculture. Increasing population pressure has resulted in high rates of deforestation. In the dry season, fires are often set to clear the understory and encourage new growth as forage for domestic animals. Still, this ecoregion contains Komodo National Park, an important protected area and a popular tourist attraction that harbors the Komodo dragon.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.