LONDON – Flora, a Komodo dragon who has never mated or even mixed with a male, became a mother and father of five this week, British scientists said on Wednesday.
Scientists announced in December in the journal Nature that Flora had fertilised the eggs herself without any male help, in a process culminating in parthenogenesis or "virgin birth".
"When the first of the babies hatched, we didn't know whether to make her a cup of tea or pass her the cigars," said Kevin Buley a curator at the Chester Zoo in England where Flora and her babies are said to be doing fine.
Other lizards can fertilize their eggs by parthenogenesis, but Buley and his team said it was the first time it has been shown that Komodo dragons, the world's largest lizards, can also accomplish it.
Two fertilized eggs are still in an incubator.
The baby dragons measured 40-45 cm (15-18 inches) and weighed up to 125 grams (4.4 ounces) when they were hatched and are being cared for in a special area of the zoo where they have been feasting on a diet of crickets and locusts.
"We haven't made a decision on names yet – as Komodo dragons can live for over 40 years, we want to get the names just right," Buley added.
http://www.thestar.com/sciencetech/article/174329
__________________
Knock people down at their own expense, they'll take it as a compliment!!!!
