New Baby Lizards Hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo

Two baby lizards have recently hatched at the Los Angeles Zoo, marking a significant achievement as they are the first of their species to be bred in the zoo’s history, according to zoo representatives. The species, known as Perentie lizards (Varanus giganteus), hails from Australia and ranks among the largest lizards in the world, surpassed in size only by the Komodo dragon and a few others.

Byron Wusstig, the zoo’s curator, expressed the joy of the staff in successfully breeding this species, stating, “It is incredibly rewarding for our team to experience success breeding this species. While they are not endangered, finding them in a zoo setting outside of Australia is quite uncommon.”

The Los Angeles Zoo is one of only three facilities accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to have successfully bred Perentie lizards, making this an exceptional milestone for the institution. The baby lizards are currently thriving and are being closely monitored by the staff as they begin their early life stages in a controlled environment, away from public viewing. Visitors can, however, observe the father lizard in the Australia area of the zoo, located near the Komodo dragon exhibit.

Adult Perentie lizards are impressive creatures, capable of growing over 8 feet in length and weighing more than 40 pounds. They are characterized by their brown skin adorned with cream or yellow patterns. As carnivorous reptiles, their diet includes a variety of prey, such as turtle eggs, insects, birds, other reptiles, and small mammals, which they consume whole. The successful hatching of these lizards is a promising development for both the zoo and the conservation of exotic species.