COLUMBIA (WACH) - The Riverbanks Zoo is welcoming two new tenants this Friday. A pair of of juvenile Komodo dragons are moving in for the first time in the history of the Zoo.
The dragons, also known as Komodo monitors, were hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo last August.
“We are excited to give our visitors an opportunity to watch as these young dragons grow into powerful predators,” said Scott Pfaff, curator of herpetology at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. “Komodos in captivity grow at a faster-pace, typically reaching adulthood in about 5 to 6 years, while dragons in the wild reach maturity in about 20 years.”
According to zoo officials, Komodo dragons are the world's largest living lizards, Male dragons have been known to reach lengths of 10 feet and weigh more than 200 pounds, The largest Komodo on record weighed 366 pounds.
Guests visiting the zoo will find the intelligent, young lizards on display beginning Friday in the Desert Gallery of the Aquarium-Reptile Complex.
The dragons will live in the complex until they are large enough to upgrade to a spacious outdoor exhibit.
Five Galapagos tortoise babies that were born last October will be the dragons' "roommates" in the complex.
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