Here are some facts about the bearded dragon, an Australian native lizard that is popular amongst reptilekeepers.
The bearded dragon (Pogona sp.) is probably the most popular lizard kept as a pet due in part to its curious nature. They can live quite long for a smaller lizard and are one of the most widely captive bred lizards in the world. Here are some facts about the lizard that some say has overtaken the leopard gecko in popularity amongst reptile keepers.
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Bearded dragons are native to Australia.
- The bearded dragon is native to Australia, but those found in the United States are captive bred specimens as they have been bred in the U.S. for decades. They are no longer imported from Australia as it is against Australian law to do so.
- There are eight species of bearded dragon, all of which are native to Australia. They are the Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata); Rankin's dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni) also known as the Black-soil bearded dragon, Dumpy dragon, Dwarf bearded dragon; Kimberley bearded dragon (Pogona microlepidota); Western bearded dragon (Pogona minima); Dwarf bearded dragon (Pogona minor); North-west bearded dragon (Pogona mitchelli); Nullarbor bearded dragon (Pogona nullarbor); and the central bearded dragon or inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps). Of these, the inland or central bearded dragon is the most widely kept lizard of the species.
- Bearded dragons live in very hot and very dry climates. Most of their hydration comes from the plants and vegetables that they consume. They like to soak in water bowls.
- Adult bearded dragons are very territorial. Males are known to bob their head up and down to impress females while females are known to display their beards in aggressive stances.
- Bearded dragons are also known as beardies. The beard on this lizard is used for both mating and aggression displays. This serves as a form of communication to other beardies in the vicinity. They often darken and turn black when excited.
If you want more information on the bearded dragon, you can read the care sheet here. You can also read about the various bearded dragon morphs that are available to reptilekeepers here.
