Postoccupancy evaluation of staff, visitors, and three species of animals in a zoo setting
Postoccupancy evaluation (POE) was used to assess newly constructed zoo exhibits from the perspective of three user groups: zoo staff, zoo visitors, and the animals. Staff represents a generally understudied user group in zoo-based POEs. We asked staff to rate the animals’ space, the visitors’ space, and the staff’s space at previous and new exhibits. […]
Body temperature and thermoregulation of Komodo dragons in the field
Komodo dragons from hatchlings (≈0.1 kg) to adults (≤80 kg) express the full magnitude of varanid species size distributions. We found that all size groups of dragons regulated a similar preferred body temperature by exploiting a heterogeneous thermal environment within savanna, forest and mangrove habitats. All dragons studied, regardless of size, were able to regulate […]
Comparison of growth and nutritional status of juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) maintained on rodent or poultry-based diets
Abstract 10.1002/zoo.20000.abs Nutrition and growth data were collected on six juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) over 20 months. The animals were captive-bred from two separate clutches, laid 6 months apart. Three animals were fed a rodent diet, and the other three were fed a poultry-based diet. The animals were all weighed and measured weekly. Blood […]
Predicting the gender of subadult Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) using two-dimensional ultrasound imaging and plasma testosterone concentration
Abstract 10.1002/(SICI)1098-2361(1996)15:33.3.CO;2-O Six yearling Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) underwent ultrasound examinations every three months over a nine-month period to assess the value of two-dimensional ultrasound imaging technology for the purpose of determining gender in this highly monomorphic species. Beginning at an age of 28 months, ovarian structures could be imaged, allowing a prediction of gender […]