Dragons are HERE: We are thrilled to announce that the new Komodo dragon habitat is officially open to the public. This remarkable exhibit now claims the title of the largest Komodo dragon habitat in the Americas!
The habitat is built to house up to two adult males, three adult females and juvenile Komodo dragons. It is located on the path to the Zoo’s HCA Veterinary Healthcare Center and features inside and outside viewing areas. The outdoor yard is the largest nationwide and allows guests to see these giant lizards run for their treats during keeper talks.
At Nashville Zoo, several of our Komodos that will enjoy this space currently live behind-the-scenes. Our eldest male Komodo dragon, Lil Sebastian is the Zoo’s biggest lizard measuring 9 feet in length, and can be seen in this habitat (weather dependent).
During colder months, the Komodo dragons will remain behind the scenes and will not be visible in their outside habitat. Eventually, the dragons will be shifted into their climate-controlled, indoor habitat so they can be seen year-round. At this time, crocodile monitors are the only species that guests can see in the indoor habitat.
Komodo dragons are dominant predators in the wild and eat just about anything from deer, mice, goats, pigs, rabbits and have even been known to take down horses or water buffalo. This species is known for being the heaviest lizard on earth and can reach up to ten feet in length weighing more than 300 pounds.
Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are only native to the tropical Lesser Sunda Indonesian Islands and are considered endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Nashville Zoo participates in the Komodo Dragon Species Survival Plan® to help ensure genetically diverse dragon populations in human care. Nashville Zoo helps protect this species in their native habitat by partnering with Komodo Survival Program, an organization dedicated to Komodo dragon educational initiatives and hands-on conservation work with wild populations.
