Komodo dragons are the world's largest living lizards with complex behavioural and thermal requirements. Their welfare in zoos depends on appropriate temperature gradients, adequate space, and management that respects their predatory nature.
Komodo dragon welfare in zoos is primarily determined by thermal environment quality and space. As ectotherms, their metabolic rate, immune function, and behaviour are entirely dependent on access to appropriate temperature gradients. An inadequate thermal environment causes chronic physiological stress, impaired digestion, and immune suppression without obvious behavioural signs. Space requirements must allow for both active foraging-type exploration and thermoregulatory movement between warm and cool zones. Feeding enrichment that requires active hunting-style prey pursuit is important for behavioural welfare. Their solitary, aggressive nature means all social encounters must be carefully managed, with adequate separation between individuals outside supervised contexts.