Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Right here.

This has to be the ultimate experience for a herper.
These are pictures of the first captive breeding of Varanus komodoensis (it's still call that, isn't it?) in Europe.
What's even more exciting (at least for me) is that it was accomplished by a private individual which only goes to show that nothing's impossible. It took him 15 or so years but persistence and hard work obviously paid off.

How would any of you like to see one of these popping out of an egg in your incubator? It's got to be a rush.

They were born on 9 September 2004 at Reptilandia Reptile Park aka Centro De Investigaciones Herpetologicas which is headed by the Director Technico, Jim Pether.

Jim, Congratulations on your good fortune after all the work you put into the project. You deserve it.

(btw, bids will be taken on ks next week... not really)
The lizards are earmarked for future breeding projects in Europe.

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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

A private individual huh? I'll add that to my list of
reasons for wanting to move to Europe.
Neal
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pale reason hides the infinite from us

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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

n/p
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pale reason hides the infinite from us

Its Jim Pether(sp) that hatched these and hes from the Canary Islands, is that technially Europe? between Europe and Africa, closer to Africa.

Anyway Neal, I recently talked with him and hes trying to sell his place. It could be yours. Oh man, think of that. Cheers FR

The last time I looked the Canary Islands belonged to Spain and I believe Spain is still part of Europe.

You are right in that Jim would like to sell the park and I believe that the Komodos would be part of the deal.

If anyone would like somemore information feel free to contact me.

Frank, I'm curious as to what you believe the significance is to the geographic location of the Canary Islands.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

n/p
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pale reason hides the infinite from us

.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

There is no problem, what so ever. I simply thought of it as closer to Africa, just a mental picture. Kinda like thinking Puerto Rico, is part of the states. Its a property of the U.S., but not the U.S.

I know that the canary islands are a property of Spain, but its surely not connected to the European continent. But its of no concern. FR

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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

There is no point, other then, I see things in pictures. So I do not see it as Europe. Its no more then that. I imagine if you see things in words, then you would think of them by title and not placement. Sorry for the confusion. FR

That is a very cool sight to see!! Thanks so much for sharing those, I'm pretty excited to have seen it! Please congratulate the keeper for me!
Notice how very like a croc monitor the snout appears? I had no idea komodoensis had such round snouts at birth. The pictures I've seen of babys, they look more attenuate in the classic monitor shape.
Those are some huge, round eggs...impressive. I wish there was a coin there for reference. Oh well, they look large anyways, and so does the baby!

Does anyone know what the dentition is like on baby Komodos? Are they fanged like a croc? Just curious.
Kudos!
D.

I will pass along your thanks and try to get some shots with a coin or ruler reference.

My guess is that they probably have a decent set of dentition from birth.

Another noticable trait is that they seem have that same look as the adults... calculating.

I don't trust em one bit.
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Ed
Tortoise_Keepers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Trying to keep the fun in Chelonian care

I sort of noticed the same thing about the calculating look as soon as I looked at the pictures. Also sort of a "We don't like anybody very much" look, But thanks so much for posting. I never thought I'd get to see what hatchling Komodos look like. Please convey my congratulations to the breeder...and my best wished for many more.

Leslie