# Visiting the Komodo 'dragons' - any advice? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 13, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193 "2003-07-13T17:58:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/1 "2003-07-13T17:58:10Z")
Have any Dopers made the trip to the islands off Indonesia to see the famous Komodo ‘dragons’ or giant lizards? I live in the UK but I will be visiting Australia in August. Since I’m going that far anyway, and since seeing these giant lizards has always been an ambition of mine, I thought I’d try to arrange an extra ‘hop’ on my itinerary to go see dragons. I’m trawling the web and also getting info via personal contacts, but I just wondered if any Dopers had done this, and if so what advice you might have. Thank you… ---
**Author:** ![3waygeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e95f7d/32.png) [@3waygeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3waygeek)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/2 "2003-07-13T18:02:41Z")
[Wear heavy shoes](http://www.time.com/time/sampler/article/0,8599,133163,00.html). 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Bird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Little\_Bird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Bird)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/3 "2003-07-13T18:16:29Z")
Don’t get bit. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/4 "2003-07-13T19:36:01Z")
We’ve never done it, but you might want to check out the section on Komodo dragons in Douglas Adams’ _Last Chance to See_. Not only does it give you an idea of what to expect, it explains rather graphically why **Little Bird** ’s advice is very, very good. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/5 "2003-07-13T19:55:18Z")
Couple of things to keep in mind. When you enter Indonesia you will be given a two month visa. You want to schedule the Komodo journey for the very first of those two months. Indonesia runs on what they refer to as ‘Rubber Time’, which is to say the boat leaves when the boat leaves don’t pay any attention to the ticket/sign/what you were told. As you must go a couple of islands over to get to Komodo, and as this involves some dodgy boat travel you need to leave yourself lots of time. It’s not uncommon for travellers to get trapped half way there or back by high seas, bad weather or any number of other things. If you want to do other things or see other places in Indonesia plan it for after Komodo otherwise you’ll never make it . And yes, that is the voice of experience. Secondly, they only let you feed the dragons goats. Don’t bother taking any dried fish (the vendor will assure you it’s just fine, it’s not) with you. This means that the price of a goat on Komodo has skyrocketed. Most travellers take a goat with them when they leave Java. The park ranger will kill it for you if you’re too squeamish. Travelling with a goat, sure, it’s not for everyone but lots of people do it, believe me. And they all come back raving about how great it was to watch the dragons chow down. Not so much the women. Not so much those who brought a live goat with them from Java. Now if this info has put you off any I’m very sorry. Keep in mind you can see Komodo dragon in every zoo in the Pacific rim, I’m sure they must have them at the zoo in Australia. ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/6 "2003-07-13T20:12:02Z")
These things can move deceptively quickly, you cannot outrun one, you might be able to get in a low tree for safety. Stick with your guide, and keep near a low tree. I’ve seen a survialists guide to them, one just managed to nip the guys boot, only a small nip and its teeth very nearly went through near the achilles heel, he didn’t even know it either until he looked, the teeth are that sharp. He was very quick getting out of the way, even so… ---
**Author:** ![Sock\_Munkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Sock\_Munkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sock_Munkey)\ **Post date:** [July 13, 2003, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/7 "2003-07-13T21:56:44Z")
I remember on an episode of the cocodile hunter Steve Iwin mentioned that part of the reason people get into trouble with reptiles is that we can’t instinctively read their behavior the way we can with our fellow mammals. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/8 "2003-07-14T00:04:55Z")
A friend of mine lived there for a short while, and he said that they’re not as dangerous as you are led to believe. he used to have to bodily shift them off the road himself. I think that’s what he said. Maybe he was making it up. ---
**Author:** ![AveDementia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@AveDementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AveDementia)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/9 "2003-07-14T04:16:46Z")
Don’t walk alone. Shows I’ve seen on them usually say that they are far less likely to take on a group than lone individuals, and they always include an example or two of folks who lagged behind and dissapeared. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/10 "2003-07-14T04:29:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoctorJ \* > \*\*We’ve never done it, but you might want to check out the section on Komodo dragons in Douglas Adams’ _Last Chance to See_. \*\* I was going to say the same thing. Excellent book - very funny yet serious and informative. By the way, I seem to recall him mentioning that venomous snakes are also a significant danger on Komodo. Be careful. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/11 "2003-07-14T07:03:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elbows \* > \*\*Now if this info has put you off any I’m very sorry. > Keep in mind you can see Komodo dragon in every zoo in the Pacific rim, I’m sure they must have them at the zoo in Australia. \*\* Yeah, the Taronga Zoo in Sydney is both, a very good zoo in terms of having big open enclosures with healthy, happy looking animals, and also happens to have a couple of Komodo Dragons. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/12 "2003-07-14T14:33:02Z")
This is from memory… [Bob & Ray] The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest living lizard. It is found on the steep sloped island of Komodo in the lesser sunder chain of the Indonesian archepelego, and nearby islands of Rinja, Padar and Flores. It is a ferocious carnivore, and one swipe of it’s powerful tail can render an enemy senseless. [/Bob & Ray] ---
**Author:** ![Gulo\_gulo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bcef8e/32.png) [@Gulo\_gulo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gulo_gulo)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/13 "2003-07-14T15:27:31Z")
Don’t doze off on the beach! And another vote for the Douglas Adams book. It’s a wonderful read. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/14 "2003-07-14T17:04:11Z")
Since you’re looking for advice more than facts, I’ll move this thread to IMHO. bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![jmonster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dbc845/32.png) [@jmonster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jmonster)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/15 "2003-07-14T18:00:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BMalion \* > \*\*This is from memory… > > [Bob & Ray] > > The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest living lizard. It is found on the steep sloped island of Komodo in the lesser sunder chain of the Indonesian archepelego, and nearby islands of Rinja, Padar and Flores. It is a ferocious carnivore, and one swipe of it’s powerful tail can render an enemy senseless. > > [/Bob & Ray] \*\* So, **BMalion** , where do they come from? ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/16 "2003-07-14T18:08:08Z")
Bring some barbeque sauce, as they are famously bland-tasting. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/17 "2003-07-14T19:32:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jmonster \* > \*\*So, **BMalion** , where do they come from? \*\* The Komodo dragon, the world’s largest living lizard, comes from the steep sloped island of Komodo… 😃 thank you! ---
**Author:** ![anoman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/779978/32.png) [@anoman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anoman)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/18 "2003-07-14T20:35:28Z")
The fastest way to get to Komodo from Bali would be to fly to Bima (capital of eastern Sumbawa), then take the bus to Sape, from where you catch the ferry. It’s also possible to fly via Flores, than backtrack to Komodo. Alternatively, if you’re up for some adventure travel you could go overland (would involve 3 ferries and crossing the entire length of Lombok and Sumbawa). The most relaxed option would be to take a private cruise that stops in Komodo; I believe they’re quite simple to arrange in Bali and Lombok. I’ve never actually done it, like most Indonesians from the west part of the country I’m almost completely ignorant of my country east of Lombok :o . ---
**Author:** ![BuckleberryFerry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5f9b8f/32.png) [@BuckleberryFerry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BuckleberryFerry)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/19 "2003-07-14T21:38:36Z")
I can’t believe no one’s said this yet: Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and good with ketchup. ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2003, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/visiting-the-komodo-dragons-any-advice/188193/20 "2003-07-15T01:19:20Z")
Under no circumstances should you lick a Komodo dragon. And don’t play with their little feet … they hate that.