Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know if Komodo dragons aqquire their saliva with age or are born with it? If they aren't born with it, is it possible to get one as a 'pet'. I've been interested in dragons for a LOOOONG time but no one really seems to know.

I believe they acquire their toxic saliva from the foods that they eat over time in the wild. The saliva is lethal, with no antibiotic available to fight the infection which would ensue. I was talking to a zookeeper about his Komodos and he was the one who told me that and he stated that the captive bred Komodos do not have the bacteria load like the wild ones. The Komodo Dragons were placed on the endangered species list in 1976.
They would never make a good pet, ever. There are many monitor species available in all sizes, shapes and dispositions, so I'm sure with some research you may find a suitable first monitor.

Pam

Komodos are born with some of the toxic bacteria, but not nearly as much as wild ones acquire. They can be very tame, but they are not an animal to be kept in one's yard. Stick with waters if you want a big animal that can become very tame.

Although waters are well-known for being "tame," I prefer to say calm and tolerant, not all waters will turn out to be manageable. Some waters can be downright nasty. This is the risk you take whenever you keep a large monitor. Granted you are more likely to end up with a calm and tolerant water monitor than a nile monitor, but you must be prepared to have an unpleasant large monitor, just in case.
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^x^ Bloodbat ^x^

I appreciate the help, thank you so much! I didn't mean for it to be a pet-pet like a dog but rather an animal that I house and study, doing saliva cultures and what not. I am well aware of how big they can become and I do have the room to house a Komodo properly for two-three years before I'd have to convince my mother to let me use parts of our garage. I'm 19 and I'm going to major in Herpetology and one of the reptiles I want to learn more about is a dragon.

I'm not so much worried about it becoming tame because I have a way with animals and he'd eventually grow accustomed to me and being touched quite frequently. I have the means to financially support a monitor of that size and once I get my degree, I plan on moving someplace warmer where the monitor can have time to exercise outside.

Besides, having a dragon means I can get rid of my cats sooner! =D j/k for all of those who have NO sense of humor.

Again, you had a curator from the Sandiego Zoo tell you not to think about one and several keepers that are experienced with large monitors tell you not to get one.

You could have a rich family and have the money to buy a KD, but you do not have the ability to do so. First off, if you have ever done any research on Indo's requirements of outside zoos keeping dragons, you would quickly rethink it.

There are people on these forums with much more experience than others who would not get one because they do not feel they are qualified. Most on here are not even qualified to keep croc monitors properly. How would you ever expect then to keep a KD?

It is no big worry anyhow, I really do not foresee you putting out the effort it would take to acquire a Red List animal like that.

andrew

Jeff is completely correct and he works with them. He is also a zoo guy and does so legally.

Is it possible to acquire them? Yes, illegally though as far as I know. I was offered a couple a few years ago to the tune of 50 grand, I laughed at the guy and told him to never ever call me again.

First off, any large monitor or any monitor for that matter requires lots of homework, lots of dedication and space. If I show one of my ackies to someone they often go, whoa that is big. I say, no it is not at all, look at this argus, and they crap their pants. I then say, that is really nothing, that is a medium sized monitor.

If you really need something big, get a water or blackthroat. Much better choices then a komodo or croc monitor or nile.

Andrew

niles?Oh wait almost everything is wrong with themBut damn are they mighty fine looking beasty'sHows your guy doing then andrew?
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see yah laterz people
jason
"the road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom for you never know what is enough until you have too much"

Doing well, thanks Jason.

I do love Niles a lot. I have worked with both ornates and commons and they are gorgeous animals. They are just definitely not for a beginner keeper.

andrew

because she was my first monitor,lmao.but i knew what i was getting intoI was truly captivated by there looks and ways yah knowI'm hoping to get an ornate becuase i couldnt handle 2 commons but then again whos to say the ornate wont be as "loving" as my female common
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see yah laterz people
jason
"the road to excess leads to the palace of wisdom for you never know what is enough until you have too much"