Distribution, use and selection of nest type by Komodo Dragons

We report the abundance, patterns of distribution and physical characteristics of Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) nests on Komodo Island in Indonesia. A total of 46 Komodo dragon nesting sites were identified, of these 26 nests were considered active for the 2002/2003 season. The distribution of nests coincided with large coastal valleys in northern Komodo Island. There was a significant preference by breeding females to utilize the mound nests (61%) over both open hillside (19.5%) and ground nests (19.5%). Further, within these mound nests, females discriminated for nests based on habitat characteristics, especially sunlight exposure. The main implications for management and conservation drawn from this study is that there is a small number of females nesting annually on the largest island within Komodo National Park. Further, continuation of nesting surveys could provide a cost effective accurate way to gather important long term demographic information on this species.