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Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, Komodo National Park has earned worldwide recognition as the stomping ground of the Komodo dragon, a colossal reptile species that can reach lengths of up to three meters -- but it's not just these creatures that call the park home. From colorful avian inhabitants to striking marine wildlife, Komodo Island is perfect for exploring the rich biodiversity found across Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands.

Given its large size, a mature Komodo dragon needs plenty of biomass to keep itself properly fed -- and Komodo National Park is brimming with a wealth of mammal species that serve as ideal prey. While the Javan rusa -- a type of Southeast Asian deer -- makes up a large portion of the reptile's diet, ambitious dragons are (on very rare occasions) capable of taking down a fully-grown water buffalo, delivering a debilitating bite and lying in wait until the animal perishes from infection and blood loss. Beyond these larger animals, visitors can also spot crab-eating macaques, Indonesian wild boar and large flying foxes -- and as an added bonus, Komodo National Park is home to its fair share of birds as well.

With well over 100 different species recorded on eBird, the preserve offers prime birdwatching opportunities, with tiny passerines and fearsome raptors thriving within its boundaries. During a visit, birdwatchers can expect to see their fair share of white-bellied sea-eagles -- a large bird of prey that thrives in coastal environments across Southeast Asia -- while more elusive raptors span from the short-toed snake eagle to the Flores hawk-eagle, the latter of which is considered endangered. On the smaller side, colorful species like the rainbow bee-eater, yellow-spectacled heleia and ornate sunbird abound across the island's forests, while its shores play host to a wealth of waders including the gray plover, Pacific reef heron and ruddy turnstone.

While there are plenty of captivating species to spot from the comfort of dry land, ambitious ecotourists can also try their hand at an underwater excursion, with ample snorkeling and diving opportunities found along the outskirts of Komodo National Park. Given the island's location within the wildlife-rich Coral Triangle, visitors can expect to spot a wide range of colorful reef fish alongside the occasional sea turtle. In terms of eye-catching species, the waters are home to plenty of humphead wrasses, raccoon butterflyfish and orange clownfish, while giant moray eels and several types of Tridacna (a genus of large, colorful clams) can be found lounging along the ocean floor -- and of course, the surrounding region is also known for its high concentration of manta rays, with both reef manta rays and giant oceanic manta rays thriving in its waters.

Though best known for one species in particular, Komodo National Park is a paradise for all forms of wildlife lover, playing host to far more than just its signature dragons. Along the island's exterior, its scenic beaches provide crucial habitat for a wide range of seafaring bird species and marine wildlife alike, while its skies are rife with a surprisingly large number of native raptor species. If you're planning an all-out ecotourism-filled adventure across Southeast Asia, don't miss out on this world-renowned national park, with plenty of mammal, bird and fish species all thriving as they have for eons within its boundaries.