Bearded dragon (Pogona minor) earns its name because of the underside of the throat that goes black if it feels threatened. They do not only move swiftly on land but they are expert climbers. They spend much of their time on branches. It is a combination of many different colors. The skin color can darker or lighter depends on the region and the soil.
Bearded Dragon Facts
Physical Characteristics
- The bearded dragon (Pogona minor) is a medium-sized animal with the unique dinosaur-like appearance. They have grayish to dark gray skin along with blotches of cream. The dragon belongs to the subfamily of Agaminae.
- They have broad triangular heads along with flattened bodies being dominated by spiny scales.
- Bearded dragons are able to change color especially during fight between males.
- Males are 40 to 60 cm (16 to 24 in) long while females measure 30 to 51 cm (12 to 20 in) in length. Adults in captivity can be as long as 42 to 61 cm (16 to 24 in) including tail and weighs up to 350 to 600 g (10 to 20 oz).
- Both males and females have a beard. Females display beard to show the aggression.
- Females are relatively shorter and they also have small heads.
Distribution
Bearded dragons are found all throughout the central deserts of Australia.
Habitat
- They make homes in a variety of habitats such as shrub acacia woodlands, Eucalyptus woodlands, shore areas, savannas, and red sandy deserts.
- The habitat range extends to the eastern half of South Australia and southeastern Northern Territory.
- Dragons are likely to burrow underground when the climate is too hot.
Behavior
- Dragons are semiarboreal creatures as they are partly on ground and often use perches as basking sites or vantage points. They have a prominent throat pouch which they extend during their defense but they never defend territories.
- They are often seen to open their mouth as well as inflating their beard just to look rather more threatening.
- Bearded dragons can also stand on three legs while lifting one leg to move round.
- They are smart and intelligent creatures and captive individuals may soon learn to recognize their true owners.
- Their spiky scales are of no use but to show.
- Bearded dragon also raises front half of its body as they bask in the sun. They may pile up on top of each other.
- They have quite good eyesight.
- They are often seen to perform arm-waving practices.
- They make a very low hissing sound apart from that they are quiet animals.
Feeding Ecology and Diet
- Reptile Maniac explains Bearded dragons are sit-and-wait predators and they actively prey on beetles, termites, grasshoppers, and insect larvae.
- The captive adults are mostly likely to rely on vegetables, non-citrus fruits, dandelion leaves, and leafy greens. Dragons supplement their diet with some insects. The young will consume insects at least 3 times a day.
- Dragons are very fond of eating crickets but they would also consume superworms, butterworms, hornworms, black soldier larvae, silkworms, and grasshoppers.
- It depends on its sight to prey.
- Can Bearded Dragon Eat Tomato?
Read More: What Do Bearded Dragons Eat?
Reproductive Biology
- On an average a single clutch consists of 7.6 eggs.
- The young are born after 78 – 85 days.
- The weight of the hatchlings is up to 1 ounce (28 g).
- The hatchlings have orange stripes around their eyes that fade away as they grow older.
- Bearded dragons have a lifespan of 8 – 12 years in captivity.
Conservation Status
Not Threatened
Significance to Humans
Bearded dragons make quite good pets and are often bred in captivity.
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