TAMPA – Two Komodo dragons have hatched at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, marking the second time the endangered species has successfully bred in the zoo’s 95-year history.
The parents are 15-year-old mother Aanjay and 14-year-old father Titus. The babies began hatching on Sept. 7, following a nine-month incubation period. Throughout this period, ZooTampa’s herpetology and veterinary teams closely monitored the eggs, each about the size of a goose egg.
The two Komodo dragon hatchlings—a female and a male—each weigh around 100 grams, about the same as a stick of butter, and are approximately 10 inches long. The new baby dragons will remain behind the scenes, adapting and growing before making a public debut later this fall.
“This is another important achievement for the entire zoo and a significant milestone for the animal care team,” said Dan Costell, curator of herpetology at ZooTampa. “Komodo dragons are one of the planet’s most fascinating species, and these hatchlings represent a hopeful future for the species. They will serve as wonderful ambassadors for their wild counterparts as they help us raise awareness about conservation needs.”
Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are the largest lizards on Earth, reaching up to 8-10 feet in length and weighing on average between 100 and 150 pounds. The powerful lizards can run up to 12 miles per hour and have a strong venomous bite. They’re found natively only in the islands of Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and its habitats range from tropical island forests and beaches. They are endangered due to climate change and human activities such as agricultural expansion, resulting in loss of habitat. There are an estimated 1,400 adult Komodo dragons left in the wild.