ZooTampa Announces Newborn Komodo Dragons in Conservation Breakthrough
Credits: ZooTampa at Lowry Park
By Tampa Bay Living Magazine staff
ZooTampa at Lowry Park has hatched endangered Komodo dragons for the first time in the zoo's history, significantly increasing the population of the world's largest reptile.
The six newborn dragons hatched on August 21, following a nine-month incubation period. During this period, herpetologists, who study amphibians, and veterinary personnel at ZooTampa monitored the eggs, which were approximately the size of a goose egg. They used candling imaging and genetic testing to guarantee egg viability. Using a blood sample from the embryo, they determined the dragons' gender before they hatched.
The six hatchlings include three females and three males. Each hatchling weighs approximately 100 grams and measures 10 inches long. The newly born baby Komodo dragons remain behind the scenes at ZooTampa, adapting and growing before being on display for the public in fall 2023.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Komodo dragons are listed as an endangered species. Climate change and human activities that result in habitat loss, such as agricultural expansion, threaten them. There are only approximately 1,400 adult Komodo dragons remaining in the wild. Zoo experts said these hatchlings are a major advancement in Komodo dragon conservation efforts.
“These first-time additions at the Zoo are a big win for conservation,” said Dan Costell, associate curator of Herpetology at ZooTampa. “It was a long process, and we are excited that these additions to a key endangered species are finally here.”
Credits: ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Komodo dragons are the largest lizards on the planet, exceeding 10 feet in length and 200 pounds in weight. The powerful reptiles can reach speeds of up to 12 miles per hour and possess a poisonous bite. Their native distribution is restricted to Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and their habitats include tropical island forests and beaches.