Chic Perentie Lizard Finally Gives Birth in LA Zoo

This week the Los Angeles Zoo announced the birth of two baby perentie lizards, the first of the species to be bred there.

“It is incredibly rewarding for our team to experience success breeding this species,” zoo curator Byron Wusstig said in a statement. “This species is not endangered, but it is rarely seen in zoo settings outside of Australia.”

 The  Zoo is only the third accredited institution in the world to have successfully reproduced them. While the lizards are designated a “species of least concern” by the IUCN they are extremely shy and rarely seen in the wild.

The perentie lizard (Varanus giganteus) is native to the more arid regions of Australia and is among the world's largest lizards, smaller only than the Komodo dragon, Asian water monitor, and the crocodile monitor. That’s big. Adults can grow to be over eight feet long and weigh more than 40 pounds. But in looks and charm they win out over the Komodo with its  poor public image. 

The hatchlings are reportedly doing well but won’t be on public display until they're a little older. That’s probably just as well for these introverts.

Photo credit: Jamie Pham / LA Zoo & Byron Wusstig / LA Zoo