|
|
 |
 |
Flora the Dragon Gives Birth
What did Flora the female Komodo dragon do when there was no male to have a family with? She had a family all by herself! Zookeepers were delighted because normally you need a male and female to produce babies. But Flora became a proud mother when five baby dragons hatched from eggs she laid even though there never was a male around.
This sort of birth happens in the animal kingdom more than you would think! Some animals, including certain frogs, lizards and fish, have babies in the way Flora did. However, before Flora gave birth, scientists didn't think it was possible with Komodos.
Komodos are the world's largest lizards. They grow up to 10 feet long and can weigh several hundred pounds. Komodos are meat-eating predators. They use their fantastic sense of smell to hunt pigs, deer and wild boars that may be miles away. They also have a deadly bite, but unlike snakes, the dragon isn't poisonous. Instead, their spit is filled with bacteria that make the animal really sick.
Flora's feat is exciting news for these endangered lizards. Of the several thousand Komodo dragons that live in central Indonesia, there are relatively few males. So, nature may have given the lady dragons the perfect solution for making sure that Komodos survive.
I'm Adelbert and that's what happened in weather this week.
Did you swallow all that? Let's find out by playing this week's Just the Facts!
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
