Animal Diaries Archive

First Babies of the Year

11 January 2008

What an interesting start to the day. During our morning rounds one of the reptile keepers was lucky enough to witness one of our Blue-tongues giving birth to her young. Although many reptiles lay eggs, the Common Blue-tongue Lizard gives birth to live young, just like us. A female Blue-tongue Lizard will give birth to as many as 20 young approximately five months after mating. This morning, the female lizard gave birth to six baby lizards about 10cm in length and weighing only 10-15g. Initially the little lizards will feed on their placenta before fending for themselves. These little guys will be fed a smorgasbord of fruit, veggies, crickets, cockroaches and occasionally a little bit of rat or mouse. Yummy! As they begin to grow training will start, allowing our rovers to bring these little beauties out for the public to interact with.