Komodo Dragons breed at LA Zoo

MARK

MARK

Well-Known Member
It would seem the Los Angeles zoo have 22 baby Komodo dragon babies after their adult female laid the eggs back in January, a number are due to be sent to other US zoos in the near future :cool:
 
Mark,

The item has been posted in the regular LA Zoo thread already.
It does however seem that Komodo varanid breeding is taking off in the world more than ever before (N.America, Europe and East Asia-Indonesia). :cool:

K.B.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Mark,

The item has been posted in the regular LA Zoo thread already.
It does however seem that Komodo varanid breeding is taking off in the world more than ever before (N.America, Europe and East Asia-Indonesia). :cool:

K.B.
Click to expand...

Ok KB Thanks for that ;)
 
I have a Komodo Dragon question, and this might be the time to ask it. I think I've heard of places saying that they want 'natural breedings/births' in Komodo Dragons after Chester discovered that they could use the parthogenesis method. Why is this? Are parthogenesis dragons any different, and what makes a natural birth more wanted than a birth in general?
 
All dragons that are the results of parthogenesis are male and there are already more male dragons in the European populations then females.
 
All parthenogenetic dragons have two absolutely identical sets of chromosomes, it means their genetical variability is reduced to 1/2 compared to their mother or any other dragon produced by mating between male and female. They are in some way similar to offspring produced by inbreeding, with similar risks. They will probably have no health problems in the first generation and will serve as nice exhibit animals, but they will be always the last option for any future breeding recommendation. Especially when there are more them enough '"normal" males you can choose from.

Parthenogenesis has been observed by et least 70 vertebrata species, but most of them use it only in specific situations, only very very few rely solely on it. The genetical variability proves to be of importance for survival in changing natural conditions, at least in higher developes species, and it sounds wise to respect this also when managing zoo populations. All the efforts invested into mantaining studbooks, EEPs, "bringing new blood" etc. serve the same purpoise.
 
Ahh cool, thanks :). Didn't know that there were so many problems involved. Thanks again for answering my question :)
 
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