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Photos: ZooTampa Hatches Six Endangered Komodo Dragons

This is good news! For the first time ever, ZooTampa at Lowry Park has hatched 6 baby Komodo dragons. There are an estimated 1,400 adult Komodo dragons left in the…

ZooTampa Hatches Six Endangered Komodo Dragons
Photos from ZooTampa

This is good news! For the first time ever, ZooTampa at Lowry Park has hatched 6 baby Komodo dragons. There are an estimated 1,400 adult Komodo dragons left in the wild. So, this will surely help increase the numbers of the endangered species! According to a press release from ZooTampa "The six new dragons from mother Aanjay (age 13) and father Titus (age 12) started hatching Aug. 21, after a nine-month incubation." During the time of the incubation period, the herpetology and veterinary teams closely monitored the eggs, which were about the size of a goose egg.

The clutch of six hatchlings is made up of 3 females and 3 males, each weighing in around 100 grams and sitting at 10 inches long. The new baby Komodo dragons will be behind the scenes adapting and growing before meeting the public later this fall.

Komodo dragons are just 1 of 99 species that ZooTampa is working to save and protect. ZooTampa's conservation, rehabilitation, and sustainability efforts are the main reasons why we love them so much!  Associate curator of Herpetology at ZooTampa, Dan Costell, said "These first-time additions at the Zoo are a big win for conservation. Being a part of the Species Survival Plan program, ZooTampa has a shared commitment to ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically varied reptile population."

The baby dragons will need some time to adapt and grow before you can see them in their exhibit later this fall. They even do In the meantime, check out these cute scaly photos courtesy of ZooTampa.

Egg Candling

Egg_Candling.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

One of ZooTampa's team members with the hatchling!

Hatchlingteam_2.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

Komodo dragons are the largest lizards on Earth, reaching up to 10 feet long and 200 pounds.

Hatchlings_2.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

The powerful lizards can run up to 12 miles per hour and have a strong venomous bite

Hatchling.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

They’re found natively only in the islands of Komodo National Park in Indonesia, and its habitats range from tropical island forests and beaches

Hatchling_2.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

They are endangered due to climate change and human activities such as agricultural expansion, resulting in loss of habitat

Hatchling_4.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

ZooTampa Hatches Six Endangered Komodo Dragons

Hatchling_7.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

An adult Komodo dragon can eat up to 80% of its body weight in a single meal.

Hatchling_6.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

There are an estimated 1,400 adult Komodo dragons left in the wild.

Hatchling_8.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

ZooTampa Hatches Six Endangered Komodo Dragons

Hatchling_9.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

ZooTampa Hatches Six Endangered Komodo Dragons

Hatchling_3.jpgPhotos from ZooTampa

The ZooTampa Team with the Komodo hatchlings!

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Jen was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. She’s been with Beasley Media Group since 2022. In her spare time, you can find her at Tampa Bay Lightning games, Tampa Bay breweries, or the beach. Catch up on Jen’s content about the highest-rated restaurants/bars in Tampa, things-to-do around the area, and upcoming concerts.