It was a big day at The Australian Reptile Park on April 6, when three baby Komodo dragons celebrated turning one, along with Head of Reptiles Jake Meney, who hand-raised them and happens to share the same birthday.
Two of the dragons are to remain at the Park, while the third will be sent to Sydney’s Taronga Zoo for its breeding program in the near future.
Meney showered the little dragons with extra chin scratches and provided a special birthday treat – kangaroo meat cut into little bite-sized “presents”.
To check how their growth has progressed over the past year, they also received a routine health check which consisted of a weigh-in.
Since their first health check, the dragons have grown from 112g to 711g, which is a great indicator of excellent health.
Weigh-ins and health-checks for reptiles are essential for monitoring any changes and signs of fluctuating health.
Last April, the hatching of the Komodo dragon eggs marked an Australian first as no other zoo, sanctuary or facility had successfully bred Komodo dragons in the country.
But the journey from breeding Daenerys, the Park’s female Komodo dragon, to the hatching of the eggs wasn’t an easy one.
Once the eggs were laid in November last year, keepers were required to retrieve them to ensure their ultimate chance of survival.
The retrieval process was touch and go as a venomous bite from a Komodo dragon is potentially life-threatening, and this risk is only heightened with a protective female in the midst.
Thankfully, all went according to plan with the egg removal due to the keepers having such a close relationship with mum Daenerys.
With a seven-month incubation period, the eggs were kept under lock and key, with keepers keeping a close eye on them to ensure the temperature was at optimal level and that the eggs would remain viable and healthy.
Two of the dragons can be seen in the Lost World of Reptiles exhibit, with the third being prepared for transfer to Taronga’s breeding program.
Presently, captive breeding is not needed for the wild population, but with the conservation status of the Komodo dragon in the wild considered Vulnerable, building captive populations is imperative in case a sudden decline is seen in the wild.
Meney said it was rewarding to see keepers’ hard work pay off.
“We now have three perfect baby dragons and I couldn’t be happier to also share a birthday with them,” he said.
“Since they’ve been born, I’ve developed such a special bond with them.
“To ensure they continue to become friendly, placid adults just like their parents, I handle them on most days so they become conditioned to humans interacting with them and being in their environment.”
Meney said the two dragons which will stay at the Park should reach the 1kg mark in six months’ time.
“Fingers crossed we will soon commence training to walk (the young dragons) in the Main Park area to meet visitors, just like their parents do,” he said.
The Komodo dragon is a living dinosaur and the world’s largest lizard.
Komodo dragons can grow up to 3-4 metres in length and weigh over 100kg.
Found on the Indonesian island of Komodo, there is a population of about 3,000 to 5,000 in the wild.
The Komodo dragon is a monitor but its tongue gives it a dragon-like appearance.
They are carnivorous predators but will eat just about anything.
Their numbers are declining because of human encroachment, poaching, natural disasters, and a shortage of egg laying females.
Source:
Australian Reptile Park