Kansas Zoos, Aquariums and Wildlife

Aborigine artwork on stones at Sedgwick County Zoo, photo by Mike SwopeAboriginal artwork on stones
at Sedgwick County Zoo

Komodo Dragon, Sedgwick Zoo, photo by Mike SwopeKomodo Dragon at
Sedgwick Zoo

Orangutan Statue at Sedgwick Zoo, photo by Mike SwopeOrangutan Statue at
Sedgwick Zoo

Lionesses relaxing at Sedgwick Zoo, photo by Mike SwopeLionesses relaxing at
Sedgwick Zoo

Garden City KS Zoo



Manhattan KS Zoo



Topeka KS Zoo



Wichita KS Zoo

Fun Facts about the Komodo Dragon

They are earth's heaviest lizard.

They are known to dig up graves to eat dead carcasses.

Western scientists didn't discover the giant reptiles until 1912, but long before that Komodo Island natives called them "ora," which means "land crocodile."

Komodos are excellent swimmers! Traveling between Indonesian islands is often a necessity for hungry Komodo dragons who are sometimes spotted paddling along miles from the shores.

Females can reproduce with having the egg fertalized by a male Komodo. When no males are around, female Komodo dragons—like certain other lizards—may practice something called "parthenogenesis" which in the absense of sperm, certain egg cells can fertilize each other.

Western scientists didn't discover the giant reptiles until 1912, but long before that Komodo Island natives called them "ora," which means "land crocodile."

Komodos are excellent swimmers! Traveling between Indonesian islands is often a necessity for hungry Komodo dragons who are sometimes spotted paddling along miles from the shores.

US President George H.W. Bush received one, named Naga, as a gift from the Indonesia government. Instead of making his home roaming the halls of the White House, the president chose to give hime to the Cincinnati Zoo. After fathering 32 youngsters, Naga passed away in 2007 at the respectable age of 24.

Recently, it was discovered that Komodos are venomous. They have venom glands situated in the lower jaw, which release a bacteria that causes paralysis, extreme blood loss, inadequate clotting, tissue damage, and excruciating pain.

Young Komodos roll around in feces to avoid getting eaten! Hungry adult Komodos won't think twice about devouring their own offspring. The young Komodos keep away from hungry grown-ups by taking to the trees until the are they are large enough to fight off predators. Still, this isn't always enough so they make themselves as unappetizing as possible by rolling in feces which even the most ravenous dragons can not stomach.

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KANSAS ZOOS, AQUARIUMS, and WILDLIFE