Common name: Central or inland bearded dragon
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Vertebrata
Order: Reptilia
Family: Squamata
Genus: Pogona
Species: Pogona vitticeps |
Inland Bearded Dragon
Description: Inland bearded dragons, like other bearded dragons, are called "bearded" because of the spiky, expandable pouch on their throats that looks like a beard. (1)
Look-alikes: The term "bearded dragon" is used to describe lizards of the genus Pogona that can puff out their throats (see "description" and "behavior") in a spiny gesture resembling a beard. Other species in the Pogona group include the coastal bearded dragon (Pogona barbata), the Black-soil Bearded Dragon or Lawson's Dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni), the Kimberley Bearded Dragon (Pogona microlepidota), the Western Bearded Dragon (Pogona minima), the Dwarf Bearded Dragon (Pogona minor) and the Nullabor’s Bearded Dragon (Pogona nullabor). Most of these look very similar to the inland Bearded Dragon. (2)
Proportions: Adult inland bearded dragons are approximately 13-24 in. (about 33-60 cm.) in length. (1) When hatched, young inland Beardeds are approximately 4 inches (about 10 cm) in length. They will grow to full size in about a year. (3)
Weight: Average weight is app. 10-18 ounces (283-510 grams). (3)
Diet: Omnivorous. In the wild inland Bearded Dragons eat mostly insects and some other small animals, with a few flowers, leaves, and fruits thrown in. In captivity inland Bearded Dragons often eat mealworms, crickets, and plants. Often the meals are supplemented with vitamin and mineral powder. (3)
Behavior: Bearded Dragon's beards are displayed for both mating and aggression. Males display their beards more often than females. (1)
Reproduction: Female inland Bearded Dragons usually lay clusters of approximately 20 eggs in nests dug into the ground. (3)
Location: Ranges from the eastern half of central Australia to the southeastern Northern Territory. (1)
Habitat: The inland Bearded Dragon resides in open woodlands and arid scrub and desert areas. (3)
Temperament: Typically Bearded Dragons are docile and this is why they make very good pets. On some rare occasions there may be exceptions to this rule. (4)
Bibliography:
1. Jennifer Periat. Pogona Vitticeps. <http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pogona_vitticeps.html>
2. Bearded dragon. <http://www.lihs.org/files/caresheets/sheet16.htm>
3. Inland Bearded Dragon. <http://www.zoo.org/factsheets/bearded_dragon/inlandBeardedDragon.html>
4. Bearded Dragons caresheet. <http://www.dragons4you.com/Caresheet.htm>
Information contributed by: Cameron V.
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