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Rare Baby Black Dragon Flies To Maritime Aquarium For New Exhibit

NORWALK, Conn. – Ever wanted to see a real dragon? Search no farther than The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, which opens a new exhibit called “Dragons! Real or Myth?” on Feb. 14.

The Baby Black Dragon

The Baby Black Dragon

Photo Credit: Contributed
The baby black dragon is a water monitor lizard with a melanistic gene that makes it all black.

The baby black dragon is a water monitor lizard with a melanistic gene that makes it all black.

Photo Credit: Contributed
A sailfin dragon

A sailfin dragon

Photo Credit: Contributed
A dragon moray eel

A dragon moray eel

Photo Credit: Contributed
Weedy sea dragons

Weedy sea dragons

Photo Credit: Contributed

This exhibit is the only one in the country displaying a baby black dragon, a black water monitor lizard with a blue tongue. It’s one of an estimated 31 in the United States.

The spotlight will also shine on other animals with “Dragon” in their names such as terrestrial lizards such as sailfin dragons, dragon moray eels, and a colorful seahorse cousin called the weedy sea dragon.  

The exhibit will study the unique characteristics and adaptations of these animals, while exploring the history of mythological dragons and their impact on cultures throughout time.

“People have been imagining dragons for thousands of years,” said Judith Bacal, the aquarium’s director of exhibits. “Some flew, some lived in the sea, some breathed fire. Depending on the setting, dragons were viewed as harbingers of doom or fortune, as wicked and in need of slaying by heroes, or as benevolent and wise. But, they are always powerful.

“Our new exhibit is a fun chance to show all the different ways that cultures have feared and worshiped dragons, and to display real dragons living among us today.”

Baby black dragons, which are native to South and Southeast Asia, commonly grow to about 5 feet and 40 to 50 pounds. They are the second-heaviest lizard after the Komodo dragon.

“You definitely can see how characteristics of the real dragons match features of the exaggerated beasts of legend,” Bacal said.  

Access to this exhibit is free with aquarium admission.

Aquarium admission is $19.95 for adults, $17.95 for youths aged 13-17 and seniors aged 65 and above, and $12.95 for children aged 3-12. Kids under 2 and Maritime Aquarium members are admitted for free.

For more information about the Maritime Aquarium, visit its website. 

 

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