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Dragon gets gym

Komodo needs to work on its muscles

Paignton Zoo's new reptile lives in spa

A Komodo dragon has her own personal gymnasium at Paignton Zoo. It’s all part of a brand new approach to keeping Komodo dragons. This charismatic lizard – recently named Khaleesi in a public vote -  has a bespoke enclosure that’s more vertical than horizontal, with ledges, steps and branches to explore. It’s been created to make sure she grows up big and strong.

 

Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates Luke Harding: “We’re playing our part in the international efforts to conserve this species by caring for this young female dragon and getting her climbing to strengthen her muscles. It’s really important that they develop in the right way in their younger years - this exhibit offers the varied environment needed to maintain muscle condition as they grow older and heavier.

 

"It’s energy efficient and targeted. Some heat raises the air temperature and some warms the animal - different heaters with different wavelengths and different roles.” Longwave infra-red heats the environment and the air while shortwave infrared penetrates soft tissue so warms all the animal, not just its skin. Zoo staff are using thermal imaging cameras to monitor the enclosure and the animal.

 

The theming of the exhibit gives Khaleesi basking areas at different heights and temperatures. Staff can vary temperatures through the day, so she has to move around to thermoregulate."

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