Pogona

Features
By Parker Evans

Diversity

Bearded dragons (genus Pogona ) are a group of lizards that are mildly venomous and well adapted to avoiding predators. Their are six naturally occurring species within the genus Pogona : eastern bearded dragons ( Pogona barbata ), Rankin's dragons ( Pogona henrylawsoni ), Kimberley bearded dragons ( Pogona microlepidota ), Nullarbor bearded dragons ( Pogona nullarbor ), central bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ), and western bearded dragons ( Pogona minor ).

Western bearded dragons are currently divided into three subspecies with differing geographic distributions: P. m. minor , which is spread throughout western Australia, P. m. minima , which lives on islands in the Wallabi group, and P. m. mitchelli , which occupies forests in northwestern Australia. There is also one naturally viable hybrid species, Pogona vittikens , which is the result of captive breeding between Rankin's dragons and central bearded dragons.

Geographic Range

Bearded dragons are are native to the Australian region. Their geographic range extends throughout much of the Australian continent, with the exception of the central northern region and some parts of the southeastern coast. Some bearded dragon species have common names that relate to their location in the country, such as central bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ) or Kimberley bearded dragons ( Pogona microlepidota ).

Bearded dragons are commonly kept as pets. Although the export of bearded dragons from Australia is prohibited, they are often bred in captivity elsewhere and sold in the pet trade.

Habitat

Bearded dragon species inhabit a range of ecosystems, including scrublands, deserts, forests, and savannas. Many species prefer arid habitats that have exposed areas for basking and shady areas, such as vegetation or rocky outcrops, where they can avoid predators and extreme temperatures.

Systematic and Taxonomic History

The first member of the genus Pogona was identified in 1829 by Georges Cuvier. However, bearded dragons were originally classified as part of the genus Amphibolurus , and were separated into a distinct genus in 1982. There is some debate about the classification of western bearded dragons ( Pogona minor ), which many consider to comprise several subspecies that are difficult to distinguish without genetic samples. The subspecies are P. m. minor , P. m. minima , and P. m. mitchelli . Some taxonomists recognize Pogona minor mitchelli as a separate species.

Physical Description

Bearded dragons range in size from 30 to 60 cm as adults, depending on the species. They have flat, triangular-shaped heads and a patch of spines on their throats that they expand when threated, when competing with conspecifics, or when attracting mates. Bearded dragons have long bodies and tails with relatively short limbs. They can flatten their torsos to fit in small crevices or absorb more heat while basking. When they do so, they have a much rounder appearance overall. Bearded dragons are covered in small, overlapping scales that are typically dull brown with white, red, orange, or gold accents. The majority of their scales are keeled, but they also have elongated, spiny scales around their necks, along their sides, and on their backs and tails. Bearded dragons have a parietal eye, or a "third eye", located dorsally between their true eyes. Parietal eyes are sensitive to changes in the presence and intensity of light, and are believed to play important roles in hormone production, thermoregulation, and activity timing. Some bearded dragons also possess venom glands that, while effectively harmless to humans, can have noticeable effects on small animals.

  • Sexual Dimorphism
  • male larger

Development

Bearded dragons reproduce sexually, with fertilization occurring internally. Shells form around developing embryos, and gravid females typically lay eggs within 4 to 6 weeks after mating occurs. Eggs incubate for around 60 days before hatching. Newly hatched bearded dragons closely resemble adults, although they are smaller in overall size. Bearded dragons grow quickly in their first year of life, periodically shedding their old scales as they grow. At one year of age, they reach 40 to 56 cm in length. Bearded dragons also reach sexual maturity after about one year, at which point their reproductive organs are visible as bulges near their vents. Males develop two bulges and females develop one bulge. Bearded dragon sex determination is affected primarily by genetic factors - females are heterogametic (ZW) and males are homogametic (ZZ) - but temperature can also impact sex determination. For example, at high incubation temperatures, central bearded dragons ( Pogona vitticeps ) that are genetically male may reverse sex and hatch as females.

Reproduction

Bearded dragons breed mostly in summer. In breeding season, individuals are typically more aggressive towards members of the same sex. Male lizards attract females by waving their forelimbs, stomping their hindlimbs, and inflating their "beards", a pouch on their necks that has elongated, spiny scales. Following these courtship displays, males will chase females, mount them, and bite the back of their necks or upper backs, often leaving bite marks. Some bearded dragon species eat drastically less than normal during breeding season, and thus can experience significant reductions in body mass. Bearded dragons are iteroparous and promiscuous, mating with multiple partners throughout their life and even within a single breeding season.

Wild bearded dragons mate in summer, but captive individuals may be sexually active year round. Bearded dragons reach sexual maturity between one and two years of age and, once sexually mature, they can mate multiple times within a breeding season. Males mount females when mating, using their jaws and forelimbs to grasp the neck or shoulders of the female. From this position, mating pairs intertwine their tails to align their reproductive organs. Males then insert their hemipenes and into their mate's cloaca before releasing their sperm.

Females are capable of storing sperm for extended periods of time in their oviductal crypts. They can then release the stored sperm and fertilize their eggs when they are ready to gestate and lay eggs. Females typically delay egg-laying until they find suitable habitat to dig a burrow. Females lay anywhere from 10 to 30 eggs per clutch, and they can lay up to nine clutches a year, with up to two clutches from just one copulation event. Eggs hatch between 55 and 75 days after they are laid.

Bearded dragons provide limited parental investment. Females dig burrows to protect their eggs from predation and extreme temperatures. However, females leave after laying their eggs and juvenile bearded dragons are independent upon hatching. Male bearded dragons provide no parental investment beyond the act of mating.

  • Parental Investment
  • precocial
  • pre-hatching/birth
    • provisioning
      • female
    • protecting
      • female

Lifespan/Longevity

The average life expectancy of wild bearded dragons ranges from five to eight years, while captive individuals have a life expectancy of 8 to 10 years. There is a general correlation between body size and lifespan, with larger species having longer average lifespans. For example, Rankin’s dragons ( Pogona henrylawsoni ) are the smallest bearded dragon species and have the shortest average lifespan.

Behavior

Bearded dragons have a pouch on their necks, typically called a "beard", that is covered in spiny scales. Bearded dragons will puff out their beards and make them appear darker to show dominance or aggression. This usually only happens when they feel threatened, but males will inflate their beards to defend their territory from conspecifics. Males also inflate their beards to attract females during breeding season, often incorporating head-bobbing behaviors as well.

Bearded dragons are often observed standing on three legs and waving one of their forelegs in a circular motion. They typically do this to show submission and avoid aggression. For example, smaller individuals will wave their arms when confronted by larger individuals, and females will wave their arms to avoid interactions with courting males.

During times of the year when temperatures are low or food is scarce, bearded dragons dig tunnels and undergo brumation, a period of reduced metabolic activity similar to mammalian hibernation. Brumating underground helps bearded dragons conserve energy and maintain consistent body temperatures. During the warmer, more productive parts of the year, bearded dragons spend their time foraging for prey or basking on bushes, trees, or solar-exposed rocks. If they get too hot (above 90 to 110 °F), they will seek shady areas and open their mouths to let heat escape, a behavior known as "gaping".

Communication and Perception

Bearded dragons communicate and perceive their environment primarily using visual cues, although tactile and acoustic cues may also be important. They have keen eyesight, which they use to detect predators and forage for prey. Bearded dragons also have a parietal eye on the crown of their heads. Their parietal eye is sensitive to changes in the presence and intensity of light, playing an important role in hormone production, thermoregulation, and circadian rhythm regulation.

Bearded dragons use the pouch of spiny scales on their throats, called a "beard", to communicate with conspecifics or deter predators. Bearded dragons can change the color and size of their beards depending on the situation. When threatened, they will inflate their beard and darken its color in an attempt to intimidate conspecifics or potential predators. Females that are not interested in mating will inflate their beards to deter courting males.

Bearded dragons also wave their forelimbs in a circular motion to show submission, and sometimes just as a sign of recognition. They do not produce any vocal calls, but they can expel air to create hissing sounds, which they use to intimidate possible threats. Tactile cues are important during copulation, as mating pairs rely on physical contact to align their reproductive organs.

Food Habits

Bearded dragons are omnivores with powerful jaw muscles that help them process tough material, such as leaves, fruits, and arthropod exoskeletons. They catch arthropods that pass near them by rapidly flicking out their tongues. Wild bearded dragons rarely have consistent food sources, so they forage opportunistically for any vegetation or prey items that are small enough to catch and eat. In addition to plants and arthropods, bearded dragons will occasionally eat small mammals or reptiles, if they are available.

Predation

Bearded dragons experience similar predation pressures throughout their lives. Common predators of bearded dragons include dingoes ( Canis lupus dingo ), large carnivorous reptiles such as black-headed pythons ( Aspidites melanocephalus ), and birds such as gull-billed terns ( Gelochelidon nilotica ). They are also eaten by introduced predators, such as domestic cats ( Felis catus ) and dogs ( Canis lupus familiaris ). Bearded dragons have several adaptations to detect potential predators. They have keen eyesight and hearing, and they are able to sense vibrations propagating through the ground. They also have chemoreceptors in their Jacobson's organ that helps them detect animal scents in their vicinity. Furthermore, bearded dragons have a parietal eye, located on the crown of their heads, that detects changes in light availability. This helps them detect birds of prey that may be flying overhead.

Generally, bearded dragons move in short, rapid bursts followed by periods of stillness. Their light brown coloration also helps them blend in with the arid habitats they occupy, and they are able to modify the color of their scales to darker or lighter shades, which can help them further camouflage with their surroundings. If bearded dragons perceive a threat, they typically seek shelter under vegetation or rock outcrops. Finally, if they feel threatened, they will inflate their beards and flatten their torso to appear larger.

Ecosystem Roles

Bearded dragons are generalist omnivores, eating a variety of plants, arthropods, and small vertebrates in their environments. They also serve as prey for dingoes ( Canis lupus dingo ), birds of prey, and large reptiles. Bearded dragons also dig burrows, providing soil aeration.

Bearded dragons are known hosts for several types of endoparasites, including bacteria, protozoans, parasitic roundworms (phylum Nematoda ) and parasitic flatworms (phylum Trematoda ).

Commensal/Parasitic Species

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

Bearded dragons are commonly sold in the global pet trade. The Australian government banned the export of bearded dragons in the 1960s, but captive-bred individuals are sold elsewhere.

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Bearded dragons are mildly venomous, but their venom has little to no effect on humans, and can be treated with basic medical care. However, bearded dragons can carry salmonella, so untreated bites can cause harmful infections. Furthermore, bearded dragons can transmit salmonella through their feces or via skin contact, so proper sanitation is important to preventing transmission events.

Conservation Status

As of 2024, there are no bearded dragon species at significant risk of endangerment or extinction. Prior to the 1960s, many were removed from the wild to be put into the pet trade, but wild populations are currently stable.

Encyclopedia of Life

Contributors

Parker Evans (author), Colorado State University, Galen Burrell (editor), Special Projects, Tanya Dewey (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.

Australian

Living in Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, New Guinea and associated islands.

World Map

native range

the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.

temperate

that region of the Earth between 23.5 degrees North and 60 degrees North (between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle) and between 23.5 degrees South and 60 degrees South (between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle).

terrestrial

Living on the ground.

desert or dunes

in deserts low (less than 30 cm per year) and unpredictable rainfall results in landscapes dominated by plants and animals adapted to aridity. Vegetation is typically sparse, though spectacular blooms may occur following rain. Deserts can be cold or warm and daily temperates typically fluctuate. In dune areas vegetation is also sparse and conditions are dry. This is because sand does not hold water well so little is available to plants. In dunes near seas and oceans this is compounded by the influence of salt in the air and soil. Salt limits the ability of plants to take up water through their roots.

tropical savanna and grassland

A terrestrial biome. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical Africa and South America, and in Australia.

savanna

A grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees, a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome.

temperate grassland

A terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes (>23.5° N or S latitude). Vegetation is made up mostly of grasses, the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available. Fire and grazing are important in the long-term maintenance of grasslands.

forest

forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.

scrub forest

scrub forests develop in areas that experience dry seasons.

ectothermic

animals which must use heat acquired from the environment and behavioral adaptations to regulate body temperature

heterothermic

having a body temperature that fluctuates with that of the immediate environment; having no mechanism or a poorly developed mechanism for regulating internal body temperature.

bilateral symmetry

having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.

venomous

an animal which has an organ capable of injecting a poisonous substance into a wound (for example, scorpions, jellyfish, and rattlesnakes).

polygynandrous

the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.

iteroparous

offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).

seasonal breeding

breeding is confined to a particular season

sexual

reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female

fertilization

union of egg and spermatozoan

internal fertilization

fertilization takes place within the female's body

oviparous

reproduction in which eggs are released by the female; development of offspring occurs outside the mother's body.

sperm-storing

mature spermatozoa are stored by females following copulation. Male sperm storage also occurs, as sperm are retained in the male epididymes (in mammals) for a period that can, in some cases, extend over several weeks or more, but here we use the term to refer only to sperm storage by females.

delayed fertilization

a substantial delay (longer than the minimum time required for sperm to travel to the egg) takes place between copulation and fertilization, used to describe female sperm storage.

young precocial

young are relatively well-developed when born

fossorial

Referring to a burrowing life-style or behavior, specialized for digging or burrowing.

diurnal
  1. active during the day, 2. lasting for one day.
motile

having the capacity to move from one place to another.

sedentary

remains in the same area

territorial

defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement

social

associates with others of its species; forms social groups.

dominance hierarchies

ranking system or pecking order among members of a long-term social group, where dominance status affects access to resources or mates

visual

uses sight to communicate

tactile

uses touch to communicate

acoustic

uses sound to communicate

visual

uses sight to communicate

tactile

uses touch to communicate

acoustic

uses sound to communicate

vibrations

movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others

chemical

uses smells or other chemicals to communicate

cryptic

having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.

soil aeration

digs and breaks up soil so air and water can get in

pet trade

the business of buying and selling animals for people to keep in their homes as pets.

causes disease in humans

an animal which directly causes disease in humans. For example, diseases caused by infection of filarial nematodes (elephantiasis and river blindness).

venomous

an animal which has an organ capable of injecting a poisonous substance into a wound (for example, scorpions, jellyfish, and rattlesnakes).

carnivore

an animal that mainly eats meat

insectivore

An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.

herbivore

An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants.

folivore

an animal that mainly eats leaves.

frugivore

an animal that mainly eats fruit

omnivore

an animal that mainly eats all kinds of things, including plants and animals

References

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To cite this page: Evans, P. 2025. "Pogona" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed {%B %d, %Y} at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Pogona/

Last updated: 2025-27-30 / Generated: 2025-10-03 00:52

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