For the first time, rare earless monitor lizards can be seen in the terrarium house at Schönbrunn Zoo. For many years, the fascinating reptiles were housed behind the scenes of the rainforest house and were successfully bred there, it was announced on Thursday.

"Look Like Little Dragons"

"Earless monitor lizards look like little dragons. In their natural habitat, the rainforests of Borneo, they are almost never seen," said zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck. The few observations suggest that they prefer to stay near clear flowing waters with rocky substrates. "Unfortunately, they are considered critically endangered according to the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)."

By keeping endangered earless monitor lizards and contributing to the "Reverse the Red" initiative, Schönbrunn is actively supporting international species conservation. While the earless monitor lizards have found a new home at the zoo, the natural habitats of countless animal species continue to shrink relentlessly. The loss of suitable habitats, caused by human activities, is one of the greatest threats to wildlife - including the earless monitor lizards. The nocturnal reptiles are repeatedly found in irrigation ditches of oil palm plantations and rice fields, which have replaced the rainforest.

Earless Monitor Lizards Without Ear Openings

In recent weeks, a terrarium has been carefully adapted and planted to meet the needs of these semiaquatic reptiles. An interesting feature of the earless monitor lizards is the absence of ear openings - this peculiarity is the reason for their name. Nevertheless, the animals are able to hear.

(APA/Red)

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