Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, semi-arboreal lizards belonging to the genus *Pteranodon*. They have spiny scales on their backs and a pouch under their chins. They inhabit arid regions, including the savannas and deserts of Australia. They belong to the class Reptilia and there are currently seven different species of bearded dragons. The most common is the central bearded dragon (*P. vitticeps*). These lizards are often kept as pets.
Quick overview
Scientific name: Pogona
Common names: Bearded lizard, Australian magpie
Order: Squamata
Elementary Animal Group: Reptiles
Size: 18 to 22 inches
Weight: 0.625 to 1.125 lbs
Lifespan: 4 to 10 years on average
Diet: Omnivorous
Habitat: Desert, subtropical woodland, savanna and shrubland
Protection status: No worries
Fun fact: Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptile pets because they are kind, curious, and active during the day.
describe
Bearded dinosaurs get their name from the spiny scales on their throat pouches, which they inflate when threatened. They have triangular heads, rounded bodies, and robust legs. Depending on the species, they range in size from 18 to 22 inches and can weigh up to 1,125 pounds. They are cold-blooded, semi-arboreal animals, often found on branches or fences. Bearded dinosaurs also possess powerful jaws capable of crushing hard-shelled insects.
Depending on the environment, P. vitticeps can vary in color, ranging from brown to tan with red or gold highlights.
A dragon with a beard on a tree trunk.
Habitat and Distribution
Bearded dragons are found throughout Australia. They thrive in warm, arid regions such as deserts, subtropical woodlands, savannas, and scrublands. *P. vitticeps* is found in eastern and central Australia. They are also bred for the pet trade in the United States.
Diet and behavior
As omnivores, Bearded Dragons ate leaves, fruits, flowers, insects, and even small rodents or lizards. Thanks to their strong jaws, they were able to eat hard-shelled insects. For the Eastern Bearded Dragon, up to 90% of its diet consisted of plants in adulthood, while juveniles primarily ate insects.
Adults are highly aggressive, frequently fighting for territory, food, or females. Males are known to attack disobedient females. They communicate by shaking their heads and changing the color of their whiskers. Rapid movements indicate dominance, while slow movements indicate submission. When threatened, they open their mouths, raise their whiskers, and hiss. Some species hibernate, a process that occurs in autumn or winter and is characterized by a lack of food.
Reproduction and offspring
Mating occurs sometime during the Australian spring and summer, from September to March. Male dinosaurs court females by waving their arms and shaking their heads. During mating, the male then bites the female on the back of the neck. The female digs a shallow burrow in a sunny location and lays two clutches, each containing 11 to 30 eggs. During incubation, the sex of the dinosaur changes depending on the temperature. Higher temperatures can cause developing males to become females and slow the learning process in some bearded dinosaurs. The eggs hatch after about two months.
Species
A male bearded dragon displays his whiskers.
There are seven different types of bearded dragons:
Eastern bearded dragon (P. barbata) lived in forests and grasslands.
Black Earth Beard Dragon (P. henrylawsoni), discovered in grasslands
Kimberly saurus (P. microlepidota) lived in savannahs.
Western Bearded Dragon (P. minima) is found in coastal areas, savannahs, and shrublands.
Small-headed dragon (P. small)
Nullarbor, found in shrublands and savanna.
The central bearded dragon (P. vitticeps) is the most common species, living in deserts, forests, and scrublands.
Protection status
All bearded dragon species are designated as least concerned by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The population is listed as stable.
Bearded Dragon and Humans
Bearded dragons, especially *P. vitticeps*, are very popular in the pet industry due to their cheerful temperament and curiosity. Since the 1960s, Australia has banned the export of wild animals, ending the legal capture and export of bearded dragons in Australia. Now, bearded dragons are kept as pets to obtain their desired colors.
