Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel
Indonesian sailfin dragons hatch in UK
Rare reptiles may become part of breeding programme

Two female Indonesian sailfin dragons have hatched, and are thought to be the first of their kind that have been captive-bred in the UK.

Betty and Wilma, who arrived on New Year's day, were bred by Neil Harris from Cambridgeshire - a special achievement in itself, as sailfin dragons are threatened in the wild.

Mr Harris said he and his colleagues have not been able to find any records of other sailfin dragons hatching in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.

The mother laid a number of infertile eggs before her successful eggs were laid in August last year. Mr Harris incubated the eggs for 90 days prior to Betty and Wilma's arrival.

"They are very rare and difficult to breed, so we're thrilled," he said.

Mr Harris does not intend to sell the reptiles, instead, he hopes they will become part of a breeding programme when they are older.

"We have found two single sailfin dragons - one at a zoo in the Netherlands, and one at a Polish zoo - but at the moment we don't know whether those are male or female," he said.

Betty and Wilma are both currently about three inches (7.5cm) long, but will grow to be around four feet (120cm). Mr Harris said they feed mainly on fruit and vegetables, "with the odd mouse or locust thrown in for good measure".

Richard Brook, treasurer at the International Herpetological Society, commented: "To the best of our knowledge, these dragons have not been bred here [in the UK] before."

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.