The Los Angeles Zoo has successfully bred two perentie lizards, a species native to Australia and one of the world’s largest lizards. This marks the first time this species has been bred at the zoo. While not endangered, perentie lizards are rarely seen in zoo settings outside of Australia. The baby lizards are currently being cared for off-exhibit by zoo staff and are said to be doing well. Visitors can still see the father perentie lizard in the zoo’s Australia section.
Adult perentie lizards can grow up to 8 feet in length and weigh over 40 pounds. They have brown skin with cream or yellow markings and are carnivorous, feeding on turtle eggs, insects, birds, other reptiles, and small mammals and marsupials. The successful breeding of these lizards is a significant achievement for the LA Zoo, as they are one of only three accredited institutions to have successfully reproduced perentie lizards.
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