Bearded Dragon Facts

Latin Name: Pogona

There are three types of Bearded Dragon including the Central or Inland Bearded Dragon (Pongona vtticeps), Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pongona barbata) and the Pygmy Bearded Dragon (Pongona henrylawsoni)

Length:  25 – 60 cm (10 to 24 inches)

Lifespan:  3 – 5 years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity.

Distribution:













Diet:

Bearded Dragons are omnivores, feeding mainly on small mammals, other reptiles, insects, spiders and plant material such as flowers and seeds. 

Breeding and reproduction of Bearded Dragons:

After a successful conception the female has a 5 week gestation period. The female then digs a burrow in which she will lay 20 – 30 eggs. The eggs hatch after a 60 – 75 day incubation period.
Bearded Dragons can lay as many as 8 or 9 clutches of eggs a year.
 
Habitat:

The Bearded Dragons preferred habitats are semi-arid woodlands and arid areas such as rocky deserts.

Interesting facts on Bearded Dragons

 

 

They are also known by the nicknames, “Beardie” and Lizard of Oz”

Bearded Dragons occur naturally only in Australia.

In the 1960’s a law was put in place prohibiting the export of indigenous wildlife.
Most of the Bearded Dragons found outside Australia today are believed to be related to Beardies that were smuggled out of the country between the 1970’s and 90’s.

When threatened, the Bearded Dragon inflates the scales around its neck which gives it a larger and more intimidating appearance. The inflated neck resembles a “Beard” hence their name.

Beardies have the ability to change colour, they can turn slightly lighter or darker. The changes in colour may aid it in thermoregulation as lighter colour will reflect sunlight and help keep the dragon cool while the darker colour will absorb light and keep the dragon warmer.  The change in colours may also be used as a form of visual communication between individuals for breeding or dominance.

Research has shown that Bearded Dragons do have venom. The venom is very mild and of no danger to humans and most animals.

Bearded dragons can run up to 15 kmph (9 mph)

As an escape tactic, they will run away on their hind two legs. Although they run slower in this manner they capable of running longer distances to escape as there is a better flow of air over their bodies and the lizard won’t be forced to stop soon to cool down.

On recognition of their own species and as a submissive gesture the Bearded Dragon will stand on three legs and slowly wave its fourth leg in a circular motion at the other individual.

This lizard in not capable of losing its tail and re-growing it like many other lizards are.

As an adaptation to their dry environment Bearded Dragons conserve bodily fluids by excreting dry urine.

On very hot days they will often burrow into the ground to keep cool.
They can also be seen basking with their mouths open as excess body heat is lost from the surface of the tongue, just as crocodiles do.