Weather
Rice fields in Bali
Indonesia's weather patterns are primarily based on the seasons and elevation. The wet season runs from about October to April, but some parts of the large and spread out country get much more rain than other areas. Generally speaking the western side of all mountainous islands gets more rain, including Sumatra, Java, and New Guinea. The dry season runs from about May to September, but again rainfall amounts vary from island to island and some places still receive rain, while others may not get any rain for the entire season. Temperatures are fairly constant year round since the country is on the equator and surrounded by the water, which tends to prevent extreme temperature changes. Along the coasts and at sea level, the average temperature is about or just above 80° F (27° C), while in the mountains the annual average is about 73° F (23° C). Days tend to get a bit warmer than these averages and night do dip a little.
Wildlife
Coral reefs
Indonesia's large land mass and various islands have been home to thousands of animals for years as these islands sometimes give an animal better survival odds, while at other times they prevent the spread of the animal to new areas, hence hurting them. Today there are still hundreds of mammal species including orangutans, monkeys, rhinoceroses, elephants, and smaller animals like bats. The sea life is obviously very impressive due to the waters surrounding the country and its many islands. In addition to the thousands of species of fish and shellfish in the oceans, inland there are nearly 1,000 species as well. These species include carp, trout, tuna, mackerel, marlin, barracuda, crab, shrimp, sharks, and more unique animals native to the region like the golden arowana.
The bird life in Indonesia numbers nearly 1,000 as many birds migrate to and from the islands. Some of these birds include starlings, plovers, kingfishers, and eagles. The reptilian and amphibian life on the islands is very diverse with numerous lizards including monitors and the famous Komodo dragon, snakes, crocodiles, frogs, and turtles. There are also numerous species, most notably butterflies and bees.