Bearded DragonsAgamidae: Pogona VitticepsBearded dragons are native to Australia and New Guinea. There are actually seven species of Pogona (or six - authorities differ), however the most common is Pogona vitticeps and it is to this that the term "bearded dragon" usually refers. Bearded dragon lizards were previously classified as Amphibolurus barbatus.
What are Bearded Dragons?Bearded Dragons are lizards with prominent spines and a triangular head. They also have a spiny jaw pouch that resembles a beard and gives them their name. They are sometimes mistaken for horned toads. Although a baby bearded dragon is small, when fully grown they can reach almost two feet in length (though half of this is tail)!The famous "beard" is used as a defence mechanism. When threatened, they puff out their jaw pouch revealing the spines. This gives them an impressive appearance that makes many predators think twice. The bearded dragon will then raise itself onto two legs and run away. Bearded dragon lizards are very much a daytime creature and become inactive very quickly once the sun goes down. They are a semi-desert creature and prefer an arid climate. They climb well and will spend a lot of time on branches and basking on rocks. Like many desert lizards, the bearded dragon has the ability to change shade of colour. This ability is believed to have evolved to allow them to regulate body temperature rather than for camouflage.
PetsBearded dragons are increasingly becoming popular as pets, especially in the US. Although native to Australia they can now be purchased from breeders in many other countries. They are omnivores and this diet makes them easier to feed and care for than some pets. Feeding supplies, enclosures and accessories are available to buy from specialist pet and lizard supply stores.For more information on the care of bearded dragons you might be interested in looking at The Bearded Dragon Manual.
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