Membership Celebrate Changes to the Dragons! Habitat this Reptile Awareness Day
It’s Reptile Awareness Day and we’re are excited to update you about new and exciting changes are coming to Dragons!
This fan favorite habitat is where you can currently see Komodo dragons, armadillo lizards and more! With habitat moves on the horizon and an encouraging breeding milestone to celebrate, here’s a peek at what’s ahead for these remarkable reptiles!
Armadillo Lizard (Ouroborus cataphractus) > Ocellated Skinks (Chalcides ocellatus)
Soon to be replaced by ocellated skinks (Chalcides ocellatus). These small, diurnally active lizards are native to southern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia and are currently living at only three zoos in the United States.
While armadillo lizards are fascinating animals, they spend much of their time hiding from view. The ocellated skinks should provide a more active and engaging experience for Zoo visitors!
Solomon Island Prehensile-tailed Skink (Corucia zebrata) > Solomon Island Spiny Monitor (Varanus spinulosus)
Soon to be replaced by a Solomon Island spiny monitor (Varanus spinulosus). The prehensile-tailed skinks will be relocated to Night Hunters, so guests can still visit them!
The Cincinnati Zoo is one of only five zoos in the United States to have the Solomon Island spiny monitors on habitat, making this a particularly exciting addition to Dragons! The Solomon Island spiny monitor can currently be seen in the Reptile House before it moves over to Dragons!
Blue Tree Monitor (Varanus macraei)
The Cincinnati Zoo is one of only ten zoos in the United States to have this striking and relatively uncommon monitor species. This year, the Zoo’s eight-year-old breeding pair produced eggs for the first time, an encouraging milestone that gives us reason to be optimistic about future breeding success!
Coming Soon: Perentie (Varanus giganteus)
Soon to be home to a Perentie (Varanus giganteus), one of the world’s longest monitor lizard species and a native of the Australian Outback. The juvenile perentie weighs just over two pounds!
Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
Home to Aegon, the eight-year-old Komodo Dragon. At his last weighing in July 2025, Aegon tipped the scales at approximately 27 pounds! He’s growing up fast!
Many changes exciting changes are coming to the Dragons! habitat and we hope that you stop by for a visit on your next Zoo adventure!