The Amazing Wildlife of the Komodo. We have already heard about the famed Komodo dragon — of course. But did you know that there are so many different species at this national park that are rarely talked about but no less brilliant to see?

We cannot wait to show you within this article the numerous amount of creatures we can find in the wilderness of this beautifully preserved and protected national park. Let’s see!

A sparse grey-black coat and huge, crescent-shaped horns, this isn’t your ordinary bull. The Asian buffalo — or the water buffalo — stands proudly at 6ft tall. They are the world’s largest bovines and have the strength to pick up a lion’s weight with only their horns. They did got gain the nickname “The living tractors of the East” out of nowhere.

They live mostly in herds from a few to hundreds of buffalo. In The Amazing Wildlife of the Komodo National Park, some have even been domesticated within the few villages on top of the hills and are used as cattle for their milk and their strength. This is, of course, in exchange for protection from the thousands of dragons that naturally prey on these big bulls. You can spot these wonderful creatures in various villages around Rinca, Padar, or Komodo Island.

Sadly this isn’t exactly the first kind of Bat-cave that comes to mind but it won’t disappoint you! Bat Island, or Kalong Island, is a secret island off the edges of Flores. It is one of the best-kept secrets of the local people. This is due to it being full of, well — bats!

You will spot these flying creatures proudly flying across the orange-tinted sky in the late afternoon, making the sunset even more magical. Why not check these big bats dwelling around the islands? These particular ones are the Sunda Flying Foxes, with wingspans that extend up to 1m!

These are magical creatures you can truly enjoy on a yacht or traditional Phinisi.

So many birds are endemic to this particular region and are certainly a good enough reason to look up during your treks in the Komodo Island forest or when you’re sailing through toward Rinca Island.

The Flores hawk-eagle (Nisaetus floris) is a large raptor and a great rare find! A bright red head with a chocolate-brown back and wings. Watch them as it flies low against the steep mountain slopes of the Komodo National Park’s hills.

Hear the amazing chirps of Wallace’s hanging parrot (Loriculus flosculus), these colourful birds are predominantly green, with a red bill, a red spot on the throat and are completely endemic to the region of Flores. See if you can spot one!

The Leaf lorikeet (Trichoglossus weberi) — or the Flores lorikeet — are beautiful birds that are part of the rainbow lorikeet species. Of course, this is suitable due to their incredibly green and yellow feathers and small, orange beak.

Apart from all these amazingly colorful birds, the islands of Flores even have their own type of crow! The Flores crow (Corvus florensis) is an endemic species that fly alone, or in pairs and sometimes up to 6 individuals. They are fast flyers that create an interesting buzzing sound as they glide through the tropical forest. When you are on Rinca island, you may fall in love with these dark creatures that beautifully contrast the colorful island itself.

There are over 10 species of snakes in The Amazing Wildlife of the Komodo National Park. They slither through the terrain of the islands and are not known to cause any harm to humans.

On Komodo Island itself, there is the Lesser Sunda Pit Viper. You will see them from afar by their bright blue scales that give them a magical appearance. Their lack of camouflage makes them slightly more apprehensive and fearful, so be sure to keep a healthy distance away from them while watching them sunbathe. Park rangers are trained to handle snakes so there is nothing to be afraid of when it comes to these slithery friends.

The Russel’s Viper is perfectly camouflaged on the dead-leaved floor — it is a beautifully colored snake, with scales having different shades of brown. When feeling threatened, these snakes huff and puff with the huge amount of air they store away in their long bodies, these tactics are often used when it is confronted with the bigger lizard of this island: the Komodo dragon.

Did you know how we can differentiate between a non-venomous and a venomous snake? Look at their eyes! If they have thin, black, vertical eyes — you should probably think about staying away from them…

With mostly a diet of fruits and seeds, these smaller macaques can be seen hanging through the trees of the Komodo National Park or hunting on their ground.

At only 24 to 26 inches tall, they use their tail to provide balance in between swings from treetops. These macaques are often linked to many spiritual beliefs and are an important part of mythology in some local cultures around the island.

Did you know that they are also part of a more matriarchal society? This means that the group is more orientated towards the female line of succession. Males tend to be more tenuously connected with the group.

These cute, smaller mammals are the Asian Palm Civets. They are often hiding in the mountain treetops. They are solitary and nocturnal animals, resembling small possums and it gave them the name “weasel cats”.

You are more likely to spot these cuties resting in tree holes, inside rock crevices, or among vines along with the different trekking options on Komodo Island. Keep an eye out for their young, that follow their mother in springtime! Aw.

When visiting the Komodo National Park, you must keep in mind the seasons as the climate radically changes the view of the park itself. A lengthy dry season with high temperatures and low rainfall, and seasonal monsoon rains dramatically change the landscape. This makes it worth seeing the National Park twice, grass-wood Savana lands, or the monsoon-ridden forests are unique experiences in themselves.

What usually grows on the islands are various food tree species for the local fauna to gnaw on. Not many terrestrial plant species are seen due to the changing climates and the earth prioritized adaptive plants that retain water, such as various grasses, shrubs, orchids, and fire-resistant trees.

Why is it that one of the beaches on the Komodo Island pink, is it due to the wildlife?

It is caused by Foraminifera, a microorganism that produces the pink/red color pigment on the coral reef. The broken coral reef pieces are then washed ashore and contributed to making what used to be a white sand beach — pink! There are at least 5 beaches around the area of Labuan Bajo.

Ranging from the beautiful to the strange, you will never get bored of what the Flores Sea and The Amazing Wildlife of the Komodo National Park have to offer.

Sailing on a liveaboard like the traditional Indonesian Phinisi grants you up to 3 dives a day. This is the perfect chance to really capture the unique marine life and it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for passionate master divers or curious newbies.

Never dove before? Enquire with us so we can let you know how you could acquire your open water directly on board. Ready to go? Click here to see our Indonesian fleet.