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Komodo Dragon
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by RepFan on December 17, 2003
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I know that the bacteria that these animals carry in their mouths is considered deadly if you were to be bitten by a wild one. My question is is it deadly in a captive born specimen? I know that it is in fact that way for the poison dart frogs. I was unable to find any info on the web about the matter.
Thanks in advance,
Todd
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RE: Komodo Dragon
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by Phobos on December 18, 2003
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Hi Todd:
Captive bred and raised Komodo Dragons do not have the lethal bacterial soup in their mouths because they are fed captive raised fresh/frozen prey. They aquire the bacteria from eating decaying animals while maturing to adult. It is not known at what point their mouths become "toxic" in the wild since there first three years are spent in the trees eating "fresh" food rather than carion innoculated by adults. The fresh food consists of: Snakes,Geccos,Lizards,Birds and smaller dragons. Once they are about 3-4 feet in length they are to big to be aborial and become terrestrial for the remainder of there life. It's at this point it is thought they pick up the pathogens.
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RE: Komodo Dragon
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by RepFan on December 18, 2003
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Al,
Thanks for the input. Thats what I had theorized myself but have yet seen it documented as a fact.
Thanks Again,
Todd
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RE: Komodo Dragon
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by grappler on December 18, 2003
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From what I have read and understand, is that they will not take fresh kill, even in captivity. I here that they will let a fresh rat rot before touchng it. I am betting that they will still develope that nasty bacteria after time.
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RE: Komodo Dragon
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by Phobos on December 18, 2003
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Grappler:
That may be the case in some instances, however, I've personally watch the "Hand feeding" of fresh thawed rats to several young Dragons at different Zoos in the US. No keeper is immune to a picky eater. As I indicated, these animals also feed on "fresh meat" in the wild. I have seen them in action on Komodo. Just the scent of fresh blood really makes them crazy.
Best,
Al
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RE: Komodo Dragon
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by ReptileFreak18 on December 25, 2003
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Are you saying that c/b dart frogs are just as toxic as w/c specimens? If so, please send me some of the documentations of c/b animals (that havent eaten these native ants, which causes most of the poisons)that have been promoted of this.
Thanks,
Xain
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RE: Komodo Dragon
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by Phobos on December 26, 2003
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Xain:
You are right about the Poison Dart Frogs; they do aquire and concentrate naturally occuring poisons that it's prey use as a defence. I have been told (Frogs are not my area of study)that CB PDF's do not have this toxicity found in wild PDF's and over time WC Frogs toxcity will diminish if fed non-traditional prey items.
Happy Holidays,
Al
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