Last week I was at the San Diego Zoo watching their komodo dragon feed. The keeper tossed in a whole chicken and the thing just snapped it up in like 2 seconds. But then this guy next to me started arguing with his kid that zoos shouldnt do that, that it makes the lizards lazy and dependent. I see his point, I really do. But then 3 years ago I visited a smaller sanctuary in Florida where the dragons had to hunt live rats in a big enclosure and it seemed way more natural. The keepers there said it built the lizards hunting instincts stronger. On the other hand, last month I read a study that said captive komodos with hand-fed diets actually live longer and have less stress. So which is better for them? Has anyone else seen a big difference between how different facilities feed their large monitors or komodos?
Last month I went to the San Diego Zoo three times and every time I got there around 2 PM the komodo dragons were just laying there not moving. Then last Tuesday I showed up at 10 AM and they were actually walking around and eating. I asked a keeper named Steve and he said they feed them at 9 AM sharp. Has anyone else noticed big lizards being way more active early in the day?
After my wife's 4-foot tegu dug up my whole garden last spring, I started doing hot composting for his bioactive tank and the difference in plant growth is insane, anyone else's reptiles make them change their whole yard setup?
I always thought they just ambushed stuff from hiding, then I watched a documentary where one ran about 12 mph for 30 seconds straight on Rinca Island. That changed my whole view because they actually have stamina and can accelerate quick. Has anyone else been surprised by how fast a big lizard can move in person or on video?