It seems that when it comes to exotic lizards, nothing breeds success like success.
The Prague Zoo has announced the birth of its 20th emerald monitor in captivity, which cements its position as Europe's leading breeder of the rare reptile, known for the extreme care it needs to grow and reproduce.
Since the early 1990s, when the zoo first became interested in the species, which thrives in New Guinea, its zoologists have scored by far the most hatches on the continent.
The reason behind the success? The zoo's reptile specialists point to one man: curator Petr Velenský, known affectionately around the place as "the Main Man," "the Specialist," "the Big Boss."
Velenský has worked at the zoo for 25 years, and few have mastered the complex set of conditions monitors need to reproduce like he has. He knows just how much UV light, heat and humidity they need — and the amount of space to give the shy and retiring varanid.
"Prague Zoo has a long tradition of reptiles, but, of course, the monitors have been a big challenge for lots of people involved with the species," Velenský says. Although he admits the emerald monitors are not his favorite group, he concedes that they are "very intelligent compared to other lizards."
Monitors, a type of Varanus Prasinus most at home in tropical rain forests, are known for being a bit quirky and also a bit aggressive, with an unpredictable nature that provides a real challenge to those who breed them. They're also famous for their skin tone, which, as you'd expect, fairly radiates deep and lustrous green hues.
Oddly enough, not many at the zoo can remember why the facility first got interested in the creatures.
"Good question," says a laughing Iva Vilhumová, the zoo spokeswoman. "We try to bring all kinds of animals to the zoo, but of course we are very happy with our success with monitors especially as we will celebrate 75 years of the zoo this year."
So what's Velenský's secret?
He considers the question, then answers simply: "Finding the right keeper is most important; without the best keepers you can not do it. I do have trouble finding good keepers. It is difficult."
Loathe to talk about himself, he gives much credit to his wife, Natasha, who works alongside him among the terrariums that house the monitor and other reptiles. He adds that the Prague Zoo has been lucky to attract workers who learn well the nuances of a demanding creature like the monitor.
The new kid on the block
The newest born emerald monitor is the third generation to surface in Prague.
Up close, the new star lizard — small and still dull-green in color — is not what you would call dazzling. In fact another newborn is more eye-catching: A mangrove monitor, another type of Varanus Prasinus that the zoo has had success in breeding, is close by, sporting dark green hues and flecked with spots.
Coincidentally, both the emerald and mangrove monitors were born on New Year's Day. The likelihood is that both will be transferred to other zoos in Europe when they are older.
Monitors, of course, are not the only notable breeding achievements for Velenský and the zoo. It also claims the first Cuban iguana bred in Europe.
The iguana is also part of a successful stud program that allows other zoos to start their own Cuban iguana communities while utilizing the knowledge and experience of Prague's zoologists.
Competition can be intense for such titles. Velenský recalls a trip to the Jersey zoo in Britain in 1998 on which he spotted some literature claiming the zoo was the first to breed the Cuban iguana. He kindly pointed out the error and was happy to return a few years later to see the text changed to "among the first."
"They were second," he says with a grin.
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