RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Komodo Island has become one of the destinations that attracts tourists visiting Indonesia. Located in East Nusa Tenggara, the island offers not only the opportunity to see Komodo dragons in their natural habitat, but also distinctive landscapes, from hills to vast stretches of sea.
The Komodo dragon, scientifically known as Varanus komodoensis, is an endemic Indonesian species found on several islands within Komodo National Park in East Nusa Tenggara. Known as the world's largest lizard species, the Komodo dragon is one of the main attractions for tourists seeking to experience Indonesia's unique natural heritage.
The appeal of Komodo Island has also attracted international visitors, including American actress Michelle Monaghan. In a video shared by the TikTok account FallenTonight on August 20, 2026, Monaghan said during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that her latest trip to Indonesia was her second visit to the country.
During her first trip, she did not know about the Komodo dragons and missed the opportunity to see them. After learning about the species from her The Whisper Man co-star Robert De Niro, she and her family decided to return to Indonesia and visit Komodo National Park.
Beyond its appeal to tourists, the Komodo dragon itself has several remarkable characteristics. Adult Komodo dragons can grow to around 2–3 meters in length and weigh between 45 and 136 kilograms. Their impressive size, along with their hunting abilities and distinctive physical characteristics, has made them one of the world's most remarkable reptiles.
The species also has a long evolutionary history, with its ancestors estimated to have lived on Earth hundreds of thousands to millions of years ago.
Interestingly, the name “Komodo” itself comes from the name of Komodo Island, which was already known during the Dutch East Indies colonial period. In the early 20th century, Dutch naturalist Pieter A.
Ouwens used the name to refer to the species discovered in the region. He later proposed its scientific name, Varanus komodoensis, which refers to a monitor lizard from Komodo Island.
Beyond its local name and scientific classification, the Komodo dragon also has a distinctive name in international use. The species is widely known as the Komodo dragon, a name popularized by American explorer W. Douglas Burden.
Its enormous size and distinctive physical features led Western researchers to associate the reptile with the mythical image of a dragon, and the name eventually became widely recognized around the world.
The Komodo dragon and its unique habitat make Komodo Island more than just a tourist destination. The area is also an important site for the conservation of Indonesia's biodiversity. Its growing popularity among international travelers, including figures such as Michelle Monaghan, highlights the global appeal of Indonesia's natural heritage and the importance of preserving the Komodo dragon in its natural habitat.
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