Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i no people keep them in privet collections and was told that there are some breeders out there that sell them. i know these breeders would not be here on ks but i thought maybe someone bew a breeder or someone that had one. I would like to ask them some questions about them.

CrazyCody

I'm afraid there is a possibility that they may be smuggled. Komodos are endangered and may kill an adult. The laws r probably the same as the gallapagos giant tortoises (lots of permits to cover). Just a thought.

they're called zoos.. Here in the US, the komodos are incorporated into a studbook, in which each and every animal is logged and accounted for...Not to mention that they are CITES I, and would be very difficult/impossible to be able to legally own one.. I also believe that komodo propagation has been halted for the time being, as there are not enough zoos that could properly accomodate such a large animal, and you think that you could care for one at your house???ha!

The only way I see somebody keeping a Komodo in a private collection, is if it is smuggled into this country, and if that be the case, I hope you enjoy your 20 year stay in federal prison...

Leave the komodos for the zoos, who have the proper conditions/facilities/knowledgeable staff/veterinary services/funding to take care of such a beast... If you want a big monitor, get a salvator.... I believe the record for the largest monitor lizard ever recorded was a Water Monitor...

If you are just curious as to their behaviors and such in captivity, I recommend checking out the book Trooper Walsch co-authored about Komodo's...can't remember the name...or, you can try contacting the herpetology departments of the few zoos here in the states, or abroad, that do in fact keep them..

cheers,

bob

All Komodos are owned by the indo gov. I believe even the babies still hatched in zoos are technically owned by the indo gov. Impossible to own privately.

This guy grew some in the last couple of years.
A guy had disappeared in his second house, his wife contacted the police, told them shes worried because he has these big lizards there. They inquire a bit further to find the entire house was a big terrarium, the floors were removed to only leave framing for a feeding platform over what was the basement. The basement contained a few feet of dirt and multiple basking spots, all windows were boarded up from the inside. None the less he fell off of a floor frame and broke his leg or went unconsious, the lizards didnt get their food which was on the platform still, some of his clothes and remains were found 3 days after disappearance with 3 adult komodos in his 2nd house. His wife stated he bragged about his $35,000 a piece lizards which he showed many many people in person, these were blackmarket purchases. One was over 6ft, and 2 were 8ft or more.

NP

And on the local news station from Lebanon area in PA. No fiction involved unless they made up the video footage and multiple police and animal control agencies that were involved. A gentleman who supplied a large pet supply warehouse with many boids, and many other herps, was an avid breeder of boids and venomous snakes, also organized some reptile shows on the east coast years ago offered to sell komodos for prices ranging in that area to more than a few people. People involved in the reptile trade and with shows for years might know him.

Do you have any links to the article? Or do you know what paper it was published in. I'd love to get a copy of that from their archives.
Thanks
David

Either the Harrisburg Patriot news, archieves, ABC channel 27 in central PA or one of the other local stations might remember, or one of the local Palmyra PA newspapers, been awhile, I dont remember exactly when that occurred. Im not gonna get into the reptile show guys name, I only ever dealt with him on feeders, hes been out of the industry for a while..

I don't remember that one, but I remember the one in Delaware where the guy died and got eaten by his niles.

http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWSWeirdNews0201/17_lizards-ap.html

Bleck!

>>I don't remember that one, but I remember the one in Delaware where the guy died and got eaten by his niles.
>>
>>http://www.canoe.ca/CNEWSWeirdNews0201/17_lizards-ap.html
>>
>>Bleck!
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0.0.1 Varanus Salvator (Gator)
0.1.3 Varanus Exanthematicus (Adisa "long term captive" other 3 "yet to be named hatchlings"
2.0 Ferrets (Chaos & Kasha)
1.0 Cat (George)

I know it's not really funny... but I can't help remembering all the posts on here that say whole food items are better.... live or fresh killed. Oh, GOD...I can't believe I said that.

Leslie

Hmmm. Couldnt tell ya where a link to it could be or if it ever made more than local news.

Do you have any links to the article, or do you happen to remember in which paper it was published? I'd love to get a copy of the article from their aechives.
Thanks
David

thats awsome!!!!! and a cool idea about removing the floor.

I cant see why someone would do it either, but then again I turned down more than a few 4-5 ft salvators that were still very young for free, not interested in that big of monitors. It would be neat to get to be up close and work with komodos on occaision. Maybe in the future we will take that komodo vacation pacakage we were looking at, some day Ill have the time.