Licenced by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, under the
European Communities (Licensing and Inspection of Zoos) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. no.
440 of 2003).
Demesne Road, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny
056 7726 757        info@reptilevillage.net
Ireland's Only Reptile Zoo!
monitor, named Nice (she's just a
eggs. This isn't so unusual, as
reptiles, like chickens, can lay eggs
without the presence of a male.
However, these eggs will be
infertile, and a male will be needed
to produce viable offspring.
curiosity, we placed
the eggs in our
incubator. Our female
has been in our
possession for over 10
years, since she was a
monitor that she's been
been the other female
that we have here on
display, who also
frequently lays eggs for
us.
most of the eggs
looked like they were
point we decided we
would get rid of the
eggs. On opening one,
After about 100 days
most of the eggs
looked like they were
point we decided we
would get rid of the
eggs. On opening one,
to our amazement, we
discovered a living
embryo inside.
Unfortunately exposing
the embryo at such an
early stage meant it
didn't survive. We put
back the remaining
incubator.
Fully formed young
After another 100 days
remaining good egg
started to smell. At to
open the egg. We
discovered a fully
formed baby lizard
who had completely
absorbed his yoke
sac. He had been too
egg. The baby was
physically sexed as a
male.
survival technique much
simpler forms of life. In
the wild this would allow
a female area by herself,
ensuring the survival of
her species. Monitor
lizards are like the
primates of the reptile
world, the top of the
evolutionary ladder. This
is yet another weapon in
their arsenal.