Leipzig Zoo celebrates rare Komodo dragon offspring! See the babies!

Leipzig Zoo celebrates rare Komodo dragon offspring! See the babies!

There are two reasons to be happy at Leipzig Zoo: The zoo recently reported a remarkable breeding success for Komodo dragons. The first ones will finally be on September 24, 2025 young Komodo dragons hatched. These impressive lizards, which are among the largest living representatives of their kind and can grow up to three meters long, have a very special meaning because their offspring are extremely rare in Europe. The Leipzig Zoo can be proud that this is the second breeding success since 2021.

The big appearance of the little giants is approaching! Starting next Saturday, September 27, 2025, visitors can admire the seven hatching Komodo dragons in the newly renovated terrarium. This will be ceremoniously opened at 10 a.m. and expands the historical ensemble of aquarium and terrarium in the Founders' Garden. In keeping with the gentle fusion of history and modernity, a modern building was created that provides habitats for snakes, turtles and alligators as well as Komodo dragons.

The challenges of breeding offspring

But breeding presents major challenges. The biological and ecological requirements are not without their own. In order to offer the young pangolins the best possible conditions, the egg-laying conditions in the zoo were simulated so that they were as close as possible to natural nesting conditions. The eggs incubated in an incubator at a constant 31°C for a period of 188 to 204 days.

The small desert lizards are housed in a safe area separate from the adult animals in order to optimally promote their development. Leipzig Zoo has a clear focus on this European conservation breeding program of the EAZA and at the same time is actively committed to protecting wild populations as part of the “Wae Wuul Conservation Project” in Indonesia.

Threats to Komodo dragons

The habitat of Komodo dragons is becoming increasingly endangered, not least due to climate change, habitat loss and poaching. This makes the work of zoos and their breeding programs all the more important, as the population on the Indonesian island of Flores is already considered threatened. The researchers at Leipzig Zoo not only make valuable contributions to conservation breeding, but also to the reproductive biology of this special species, as in an article on leipziginfo can be read.

So anyone who visits the Leipzig Zoo next Saturday can not only experience the curiosity of the young Komodo dragons, but also take a look at a modern terrarium that will offer visitors an exciting journey through evolution and the transition from water to land life. The zoo in Leipzig really does a good business with its various animals and projects and shows how important nature conservation is - for people and animals.