garebel

A Komodo dragon that astonished the world of science when she produced a clutch of viable eggs without mating with a male has become a mother.


Miracle baby: One of Flora's offspring
Five baby dragons have successfully hatched out at Chester Zoo where the mother, known as Flora, produced the miraculous batch.

Parthenogenesis, the production of offspring without fertilization by a male, is carried out by King Edward potatoes, bees and greenfly but is rare in vertebrate species.

Although other lizards were known to reproduce this way, it is the first time it has been recorded in Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis), which are the largest of the lizard family.

Flora's five babies are all males measuring up to 18 inches long and weighing around four ounces. Two more eggs remain in incubation and are expected to hatch soon.

"Flora is oblivious to the excitement she has caused, but we are delighted to say she is now a mum and dad," said Kevin Buley, Curator of Lower Vertebrates and Invertebrates at the zoo.

"When the first of the babies hatched, we didn't know whether to make her a cup of tea or pass her the cigars. It is a huge relief and a huge excitement." He said the babies were healthy and receiving expert care.

Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world, with adult males growing up to three metres in length and weighing up to 100 kilos. There are now believed to be fewer than 4,000 Komodo dragons left on the planet. They survive on three islands in Indonesia - Komodo, Flores and Rinca - and are still under threat in certain areas.

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You cant trust something that bleeds for 7 days and doesn't die.

May the Fleas of a thousand camels infest the crotch of the person who ticks you off today and may their arms be too short to scratch.

LightningLX

Paul will eventualy have to do that to produce offspring.

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Jonas' kid can't be his because he has no balls.

FuctRacing

id question the zoo keeper

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Androly-San

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