Monitor lizards, or Komodo dragons, are endangered, which worries scientists. However, the joyful event that took place at the Bronx Zoo made the conservationists happy – at the beginning of winter, 6 Komodos were born.
The species, included in the IUCN Red List, got a chance to be saved. In early December, 6 young Komodo monitor lizards hatched at the Bronx Zoo. Newborn lizards can be a bright future for the species. The Komodo dragon can reach over 150 pounds and 10 feet in length. Reptiles are venomous – their bite can harm people. Besides, predators are real gluttons. Monitor lizards can absorb 80% of their body weight at a time. Animals live in Indonesia.
Now only 350 individuals out of 1200 in the world can reproduce, which poses a threat to the whole species. In addition, monitor lizards can be cannibals, which forces them to organize separate enclosures. Animals are threatened by climate change – global warming and rising sea levels can harm the monitor lizards. The Bronx Zoo urged visitors and YouTube subscribers to pay attention to the fact that animals need protection and restoration. This can be done by reducing pollution. “Komodo dragons are some of the most adorable species on the planet. And these hatchlings will be the future of this species. They will be great ambassadors for their wild cousins as they help us raise awareness of conservation needs,” – said Don Boyer, curator of herpetology at the Bronx Zoo.