The public display of the world’s largest lizard, the “Komodo Dragon,” will begin at the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Nagoya’s Chikusa Ward on August 23. Known as a “living dinosaur,” this “world’s largest lizard” is exclusively exhibited at the Higashiyama Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Japan.
■ The ‘world’s largest lizard’ can even eat deer
The male Komodo Dragon named Taro (13), who arrived from a zoo in Singapore in July, measures 2.7 meters from head to tail, living up to the title of “world’s largest lizard” with its impressive stature.
Its large body is equipped with long, sharp claws, and it walks slowly while extending and retracting its long tongue.
The Komodo Dragon is found on Komodo Island and its surrounding areas in Indonesia, located over 5,000 kilometers away from Japan.
It is said to consume large mammals such as deer, and it has a keen sense of smell that enables it to detect carcasses of animals from about four kilometers away. Despite its huge size, it can run at speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour.
■ Swallowing a mouse whole… Smart but a little mischievous Taro
On the 22nd, rats were provided as food. As it cautiously approached, it swallowed them whole in the blink of an eye. Various other foods, including chicken, are also being prepared.
According to the zookeeper in charge, Taro is smart and calm, but he also shows a slightly mischievous side, such as breaking branches.
Zookeeper:
“Since we are the only ones in Japan to have it, we hope that visitors will come to like Taro. Eventually, we plan to welcome a female for breeding purposes.”
Taro is expected to become a new popular attraction at the zoo. The gift shop will sell two types of Komodo Dragon plush toys and plans to develop collaborative products based on visitor feedback about Taro.
Visitor:
“Being the only one is definitely worth coming to see.”
Another visitor:
“I’m curious to see how it moves and what its skin feels like.”
The general public viewing of Taro the Komodo Dragon will start at 9 AM on August 23.