It’s time to UNLEASH THE KRAKEN! The Australian Reptile Park is celebrating a very special day today; Kraken the Komodo dragon has officially hit double digits and turned 10 today! In not your average birthday party, Kraken was presented with a meat-filled piñata to celebrate the occasion!
Visitors looked on in awe as the famous lizard tore open the piñata and once his feast finished, he went for a walk through the Park to meet all of his fans. Kraken is one of the most famous animals at the Central Coast based wildlife sanctuary, with visitors often making the trip just to see him!
Kraken the Komodo dragon is the Australian Reptile Park’s LARGEST lizard and last year, had his annual measuring and weigh-in. He came in at 2.42 metres in length and 38 kilos in weight. He is due for his next health check in November, with keepers expecting to see he has grown even more!
Head of Reptiles, Daniel Rumsey said, “I feel a bit naughty saying this, but Kraken is honestly my favourite animal here at the Park, we have such a special bond and I take every chance I can to spend time with him!”
My Rumsey continued, “He is so intelligent and loves the attention he gets on his daily walks. We worked hard to make this birthday extra special, and I can tell he loved every second!”
The Komodo dragon is the world’s largest lizard. Komodo dragons can grow up to 3-4 metres in length and weigh over 100kg. Found on the Indonesian island of Komodo, there is a stable population of about 3,000 to 5,000 Komodo dragons in the wild. The Komodo dragon is a monitor; however, their forked tongue gives them a dragon-like appearance. They are carnivorous predators but will eat just about anything.
The status of the Komodo dragon in the wild is Vulnerable, which is the status level before endangered, on the IUCN red list. Their numbers are declining because of human encroachment, poaching, natural disasters and a shortage of egg laying females.
Kraken the Komodo dragon enjoys adaily walkwhere visitors are able to meet and take photos with impressive lizard. Visitors are also able to get closer than ever before to Kraken in an exciting, exclusiveanimal encounterwith him.
