Komodo Dragons Thrive in Prague Zoo
Thanks to the great success of breeding komodo dragons in Prague Zoo, a new building was built for them. In terms of architecture, the building is not an extraordinary one, yet it contains a number of clever devices that should make komodo dragons’ lives easier.
The father of the project is the reptiles curator Petr Velenský, who not only designed heated sand and sliding windows allowing dragons to laze in the sun but also a corner where females can lay eggs. “We hope that we designed it in such a way that it will suit komodo dragons perfectly,” said P. Velenský.
The building is very well insulated and heated by means of various radiators with the power of 20 kW. “Komodo dragons like high temperatures around 40 degrees Centigrade,“ P. Velenský pointed out. They are also dependent on light. They have a light receptor between their eyes, which tells them when there is enough light and therefore also heat and they can e.g. set off on a hunt.
Infrared heaters will heat up the dragons’ backs, in the daytime at the temperature of 35 to 40 degrees, in some places, e.g. the area where they lay eggs, even at 50 degrees.
Sandy beach with a steel net
The surface of over 150 square metres covered with 80 cm of sand on a steel net to ensure that the komodo dragons do not dig under, as there is normal soil under the net to allow for humidity control. The whole building, including all the conveniences cost 2.5 million CZK.
Why a new building?
Prague Zoo is very successful in breeding komodo dragons. Since 2007, when Aranka lay the first eggs, this achievement has been repeated four times. At present, another four eggs are in the incubator and the process of hatching can be watched on the Internet. “Aranka has laid eggs five times, which is very unusual worldwide,” said Petr Velenský.
No changes in exposition
The new building should be inhabited within the next two weeks. It will accommodate either two grown-up komodo dragons or two groups of younger lizards. As for the komodo dragon exposition, it will remain unchanged. The komodo dragon building is very important for maintaining breeding, as males are sometimes aggressive and kill the female. The new building makes it possible for the female to escape, if needed.
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