Two endangered Komodo dragons have been born at a zoo and the moment has been caught live on camera - It was the first time Chester Zoo successfully bred hatchlings from a pair of mating dragons.
Komodo dragons are the world’s largest species from the lizard family and the hatchlings are expected to grow to more than 3m (9.8ft) long.
The hatchlings were welcomed by mum Mezcal and dad Satali, weighing about 74g and measuring 40cm.
Matt Cook, lead keeper of reptiles at Chester Zoo, said the “fascinating creatures” have survived for tens of thousands of years, and that "populations in the wild have been pushed to the edge of existence in the last 50 years" due to increased human activity, habitat loss and a hotter climate.
He added: “We have been eagerly awaiting this moment after we successfully introduced female dragon Mezcal with male Satali and they seemed to hit it off straight away.
“A month later we found a clutch of eggs that had been laid and we carefully placed them in a special incubator where they have been monitored closely for several months.”
What are Komodo dragons?
The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest living lizard. It’s native to Indonesia, in the World Heritage-listed Komodo National Park and neighbouring Flores, where it is an apex predator. It is also a member of the monitor lizard family.
This lizard is famously known for its venom - it has one of the most complex venom-delivery systems of any reptile. It distributes its venom by raking its teeth through its prey’s flesh. The poison lowers blood pressure and impairs coagulation, leading to blood loss and shock.
It is thought to live for around 30 years on average.
A huge part of a Komodo dragon’s diet is carrion, or decaying flesh from dead animals, as they are carnivores. However, they have been known to hunt live prey, and there are recorded instances of fully-grown Komodo dragons taking down animals as large as horses and water buffaloes.
Younger Komodos tend to feed on small lizards and insects, as well as snakes and birds. But when they get older and grow bigger, they move on to larger prey, such as rodents, monkeys, goats, wild boars and deer.
How many Komodo dragons still exist in the world?
With fewer than 1,400 mature individuals remaining in the wild, the Komodo dragon is classed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
