Komodo Dragons at the National Zoo

In 1992, the National Zoo became the first place outside the Komodo dragon's native Indonesia to successfully breed the giant lizard. Since then, four clutches of eggs have hatched there, resulting in 55 offspring that now live in more than 30 zoos around the world. Research by Zoo staff helped other zoos breed and care for Komodo dragons by refining the temperature and humidity ranges needed for successful egg incubation, and enclosures there mimic the species' natural habitat to encourage breeding and nesting behaviors.

Washington, District of Columbia · United States