Komodo Dragon Hatches w/out Male Help

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Posted: 3:08 PM Feb 1, 2008
Last Updated: 3:08 PM Feb 1, 2008
Email Address: news@kake.com

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There is a new animal at the Sedgwick County zoo, but its how he got there that is especially newsworthy.

The zoo became the first in the Western Hemisphere to document that Komodo dragons are capable of parthenogenesis (reproduction without the contribution of a male).

The hatchling entered the world on January 31, measuring almost 17-inches-long from nose to tail and weighing 104 grams.

Only two earlier cases were documented in 2006 at London Zoo and Chester Zoo in England.

The Sedgwick County Zoo has two adult Komodo dragons; both are female and cared for separately. One female, known to the keepers as Gaia, laid approximately 17 eggs on May 19-20, 2007.

Sedgwick County Zoo followed the Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommendation to incubate and hatch two eggs. The SSP wanted to further document that Komodo dragons are capable of parthenogenesis. The second egg at Sedgwick County Zoo is in the final stages of hatching.

The first hatchling is doing well and could be on exhibit in the Amphibian and Reptile Building in approximately 10 -14 days.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Cain Location: London, UK on Apr 9, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Regret to inform you that Chester in the UK is firmly established in the Western Hemisphere (by nearly 3 degrees). Nice catchy pat on the back, but not precisely accurate.

Posted by: Michael K. Location: Wichita, KS on Feb 1, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Karen and the A&R team at the zoo have done an awsome job with the A&R exhibits. GO support the work of these fine staff members. Karen has been involved in many research projects and is a remarkable woman and has created the best area in our zoo!!!!

Posted by: BROOKE Location: TOPEKA on Feb 1, 2008 at 03:36 PM
WHY DIDNT THEY TRY TO HATCH ALL 17 EGGS AND SELL THEM TO OTHER ZOOS THAT DONT HAVE A KOMODO DRAGON.

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