You know it's Christmas when....

Tyler · Post by **Tyler** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:45 am

Komodo Dragon Virgin Birth
...to us this day a lizard is born.

The miraculous births, which are all males, could be a product of keeping this threatened species in captivity, say researchers, and could have implications for the continued health of zoo-bound populations.

Parthenogenesis — reproduction without the need for fertilization by a male — is rare in vertebrates. Some animals, including several lizard species, are known to be capable of it. But Komodo dragons have never been seen to breed like this before

Innocent Bystander · Post by **Innocent Bystander** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:06 am

This is obviously the second coming.

djm · Post by **djm** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 10:13 am

This is the second komodo dragon in England to give birth divinely. And there is more than one egg, so we're way past "second" coming. Personally, I'd look to your water supply in England.

djm

emmline · Post by **emmline** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 1:15 pm

This would have been a cleverer explanation, in Jurassic Park, than gender-switching reptiles.

Tyler · Post by **Tyler** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:55 am

Yeah it would have been more interesting...I guess it's along the same lines though; the idea still works for me.

djm · Post by **djm** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 7:33 am

I thought Jurassic Park made it emminently clear: Life finds a way. (booga booga booga)

djm

Walden · Post by **Walden** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 9:55 am

Innocent Bystander wrote:This is obviously the second coming.

Why do you say that? Were they conceived of the Holy Ghost?

Tyler · Post by **Tyler** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:37 am

you'd have to ask the lizard...

Lee Stanford · Post by **Lee Stanford** » Fri Dec 22, 2006 12:00 pm

This article reminds me of that movie "ememy mine" with denis quade where the Drak (lizard alien and sworn enemy of humans) gives bith asexually.

anniemcu · Post by **anniemcu** » Sat Dec 23, 2006 2:08 pm

Lee Stanford wrote:This article reminds me of that movie "ememy mine" with denis quade where the Drak (lizard alien and sworn enemy of humans) gives bith asexually.

An all time fave movie!