Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards and apex predators of Indonesia's Lesser Sunda Islands. Their welfare in zoo settings requires understanding their thermal, spatial, and behavioural needs.
Komodo dragon welfare in captivity depends critically on providing appropriate thermal environments that allow full thermoregulatory behaviour. These ectothermic animals cannot regulate their body temperature internally and require access to a range of temperatures throughout their enclosure to maintain optimal physiological function. Inadequate thermal provision leads to immune suppression, digestive problems, and chronic stress. Enclosure design must accommodate their large body size with appropriate substrate, secure climbing opportunities for juveniles, water features, and complex terrain. Feeding enrichment that requires searching and prey-handling behaviour engages natural predatory instincts. Given their solitary nature, careful monitoring is required when multiple animals share space to prevent dominance conflicts and injury.