It was time to unleash the Kraken when the Australian Reptile Park’s oldest Komodo dragon turned 11 recently.
Keepers celebrated by treating the exotic lizard to a giant piece of meat, suspended from the ceiling.
Suspending the meat meant Kraken had to work harder for the massive prey item, using his mind, muscles and mouth full of razor-sharp, serrated teeth to dig into his birthday treat.
As the world’s largest lizard species, this enrichment activity is incredibly important for Kraken’s mental wellbeing, keepers said.
In the wild, Komodo dragons will regularly gorge on large carcasses of meat, using their powerful claws, teeth and neck to rip and tear at the meal.
Kraken the Komodo dragon is the Park’s biggest lizard, weighing in at over 50kg.
At the age of 11 he still has a lot of growing to do, with some male dragons being known to reach up to 80kg.
Komodo dragons can live for up to 40 years, meaning that Kraken could still gain another 15-20kg.
Head Reptile Keeper Jake Meney said Komodo dragons were his absolute favourite animals.
“To see Kraken engage in those naturalist behaviours as he tore into that meat was incredible,” he said.
“He’s getting bigger and stronger every day and it was amazing to witness just how powerful his neck muscles are as he whipped his head back and forth.
“We have such a special bond, and my highlight of each day is when I get to walk Kraken throughout the Park.”
Kraken managed to eat a few kilos of beef.
“Because reptiles are so energy-efficient, that meal could last him for several weeks before he needs to feed again,” Meney said.
The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest lizard species and can grow up to 3 metres in length.
Found on the Indonesian island of Komodo, there is a stable population of about 1,400 Komodo dragons in the wild.
The Komodo dragon is a monitor, but its forked tongue gives it a dragon-like appearance.
Komodo dragons are an endangered species with their numbers declining in the wild because of human encroachment, poaching, natural disasters and a shortage of egg laying females.
In 2021, the Australian Reptile Park was the first zoo in the country to successfully breed and hatch Komodo dragons, with Kraken becoming a father of three.
Kraken the Komodo dragon is one of the tamest animals living at the Australian Reptile Park and enjoys a daily walk where visitors are able to meet and take photos with the impressive lizard.
Source:
Media release, Jan 5
Australian Reptile Park