Folk Knowledge and Distribution of the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) on Flores Island, Indonesia

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are the largest living lizards on Earth and one of Indonesia’s most iconic species. While these powerful reptiles are best known from Komodo National Park — including Komodo, Rinca, and nearby islands — ethnobiological research shows that they have also existed historically on the larger island of Flores. A study investigating folk knowledge among local communities reveals how indigenous observations and language help document the dragon’s past and present distribution across northern Flores.

The Role of Local Knowledge

Unlike purely scientific surveys, this research explores how people living in coastal and inland regions of Flores recognize and describe the Komodo dragon. Long before Western science documented the species in the early 20th century, local people had already identified these dragons and included them in their oral histories, ecological understanding, and place names.

Local knowledge has proven valuable in several ways:

• Identification: Communities use distinct names to distinguish the Komodo dragon from other large lizards like the water monitor (Varanus salvator), demonstrating accurate recognition of species differences.
• Distribution insight: Folk reports extend knowledge of where dragons once lived or may still live, especially in parts of northern Flores where scientific documentation has been sparse.

In many villages, elders and hunters recall stories of dragons near coastal caves, savannahs, and forest edges. These accounts sometimes align with historical sightings or European reports from the early 1900s, suggesting that dragons ranged more widely than officially recorded.

Ecology and Habitat on Flores

On Flores, the Komodo dragon’s range has always been limited compared to its stronghold on the islands of Komodo and Rinca. Genetic and zoological surveys indicate that Flores populations tend to be smaller and more fragmented. Dragons on Flores are usually found in dry coastal and savanna habitats, often overlapping with the range of the smaller water monitor but maintaining unique behaviors and ecological roles.

Local people distinguish the two species clearly: dragons are larger, more solitary, and capable of taking down larger prey including goats and pigs, while water monitors typically feed on smaller animals and are more ubiquitous.

Human–Dragon Interactions

Folk knowledge also sheds light on how communities perceive and interact with these reptiles. On Flores, dragons were historically feared for their size and predatory ability, especially when they strayed near livestock or settlements. Some accounts describe villagers avoiding forested paths at night or actively hunting dragons that threatened livestock — activities that, despite modern conservation laws, continue in some areas and contribute to local declines.

Interestingly, unlike in some other parts of Indonesia, dragons seldom feature prominently in local myth or spiritual tradition on Flores; instead, they are understood in practical and descriptive terms grounded in direct experience.

Implications for Conservation

The intersection of folk knowledge and scientific inquiry provides valuable insight for conservation work. Traditional ecological knowledge — including local names, habitat descriptions, and sighting reports — can help researchers identify potential dragon populations that have not been officially surveyed or documented.

For example, communities in north-central Flores describe dragon sightings in areas between established nature reserves, suggesting that small, remnant populations might persist in regions beyond the well-known western limits. These ethnobiological accounts can guide future field surveys and conservation strategies focused on protecting vulnerable dragon groups.

Conclusion

The Komodo dragon’s presence on Flores Island represents more than a zoological footprint; it is part of a rich tapestry of local knowledge, language, and lived experience. Ethnographic research demonstrates that indigenous insights not only help confirm the species’ range but also deepen understanding of how humans and these remarkable reptiles have coexisted over time. By bridging scientific and folk perspectives, conservation efforts can benefit from a more nuanced and culturally informed approach to safeguarding one of the world’s most extraordinary reptiles.

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