The bearded dragon is the common name of a genus of reptiles in Australia. They are pretty common in Australian deserts. But since the 1990s, people can find them in pet stores all around the world. Bearded dragons are very popular because of their exotic and beautiful appearance.
- Today, there are nine recognized spices of the bearded dragons.
Pogona Barbata, Pogona Microlepidota, Pogona Henrylawsoni, Pogona Minor Minor, Pogona Minor Mitchelli, Pogona Minor Minima, Pogona Nullarbor, Pogona Vitticeps, Pogona Vittikins.
- Pogona is the scientific name of the bearded dragons.
The word ‘pogon’ means beard in the Greek language.
- The reptiles are famous with the name “bearded dragon” because…
They inflate or flare the skin under their throats. Due to the inflation, that section of the skin becomes darker resembling the beard.
- Why do bearded dragons inflate their beards?
Bearded dragons puff up when they feel threatened. In other words, it is their defense mechanism. By inflating their beard they try to show themselves threatening to predators and other animals. It is similar to a dog baring its teeth when trying to scare off things.
- Bearded dragons are not included in the list of animals that are under threat of extinction.
Although many bearded dragons are removed from their natural environment to be traded as pets. Their number in the wild remain consistently large. That means they will be around for the generations to come.
- The common colors of the bearded dragons are:
Yellow, a mix of green, tan and red colors.
- They can change the color of the different body parts.
The latest surveys showed that bearded dragons change the color in specific body parts depending on temperature or communication messages. That means each color on bearded dragons has a meaning. They change neck color while interacting with other lizards. If their back turns darker that means weather is cold for them, and they trying to regulate their body temperature.
- You can distinguish bearded dragon males and females easily by looking at their outer appearance.
Females have thinner bodies and thinner tails than males. Males have broader heads, enlarged femoral pores, and darker beards.
- The bearded dragons’ size is somewhere between 18 and 24 inches (46 and 61 cm).
Males are larger than females. Their tail is usually half-length of their body.
- Bearded dragons reach sexual maturity at the age of 8 to 12 months.
Their mating (sexual activity) begins before 12 months of age.
- The usual breeding season starts in spring for wild bearded dragons.
Nevertheless, some bearded dragons do not have a specific breeding season; they can breed throughout the year.
- Bearded dragons are oviparous lizards.
That means they reproduce by laying and incubating eggs. A female lays 9-24 eggs in the wet sand. The eggs hatch and babies emerge between 50 and 80 days.
- A bearded dragon has a special way of greeting other members of a group.
Female bearded dragons show submission in front of a dominant male. Males stand on three legs, stomp the remaining leg and chase the females. Also, they do what they called “mating dance” when the males and females come together.
- Unlike other lizards, bearded dragons cannot drop their tails but they may sacrifice their tail when they need to escape from predators.
If they lose their tails due to an accident, they will not be able to grow it back. They will be tailless for the rest of their lives.
- The main predators of bearded dragons are…
Large lizards, dingoes (wild dogs), and birds of prey.
- Bearded dragons are not fast runners.
They can only run up to 9 miles per hour (14.5 km/ph).
- Habitat of the bearded dragons.
Their natural habitats are savanna, woodland, and arid areas.
- A bearded dragon is an omnivorous creature.
Which means they consume both plants and animals. Usually, they eat insects, small rodents, lizards and leafy plants.
- Bearded dragons gained their popularity in the 1990s and still famous as beloved lizards.
They are easy to keep, meaning they can be good Pets. They have a very gentle nature. Even if they feel threatened, they do not show any signs of aggression. Instead, they will inflate their throats and hope to deter the threat.
- Bearded dragons are venomous.
However, they are quite safe to be around people. Because their venom is not toxic to humans. The venom they produce can kill small pets but not humans.
- Pogona vitticeps is the type that people like to hold at home.
These lizards are able to recognize their owners. Moreover, you can pet your bearded dragon from head to tail, but it may run away from you whenever it wants.
- It is important to wash your hands after touching the bearded dragon.
The bacteria called Salmonella present in the feces of the bearded dragons, but at the same time, the bacteria may be present on their skin. Besides, there is a possibility that the bearded dragon can spread the bacteria. However, it is easy to not be infected with it. It is enough to follow the usual rules of hygiene and common sense, which are known to everyone since childhood.
- Bearded dragons live for six to ten years.
In captivity, bearded dragons live somewhere between six and ten years. But there are some cases where they lived twice as long. In the wilderness, their lifespan is usually shorter.
- Do bearded dragons have a third eye?
Yes, the bearded dragon has the third eye called the parietal eye. It can be found between their two eyes. Using the parietal eye, bearded dragons can see shadow and light changes.
- Global warming may negatively affect the cognitive abilities of Australian bearded dragons.
Zoologists published this statement in the journal Royal Society Open Science. This conclusion was made after an experiment in which scientists heated the air in the incubator with the eggs of lizards. It turned out that animals hatched in warmer conditions, cope worse with tasks on social intelligence.
- Why do people like to hold bearded dragons at home?
Because they are easy to care for and very docile animals. Children love them and they are quite safe.
