Keepers at the San Diego Zoo have outfitted a Komodo dragon with a GoPro video camera so they can watch how the giant lizard sees the world.
Sunny, a 14-year-old Komodo dragon, is learning to walk over to a target when shown by keepers, earning a special treat to reinforce the behavior.
Komodo dragons spend most of their time resting in the sun, so the training provides exercise for Sunny throughout the day. Another benefit is that once the behavior is learned, keepers can get Sunny to move into a different area of the exhibit if necessary.
Keepers working with Sunny have trained him to wear the GoPro video camera during these sessions. This allows staff to review the sessions and it gives insight into how Sunny sees the training.
It’s fitting that Sunny wears a GoPro since the wearable camera company was founded by UC San Diego graduate Nick Woodman.
Komodo dragons are the largest living lizards. They are a type of monitor lizard, an ancient reptile species with ancestors that date back more than 100 million years. The animals can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 176 pounds.
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