Bearded Dragon
Bearded Dragons have spines under and around their throats that give them their distinguishing feature and name. These spikes are actually quite rubbery, not sharp, and fool predators into thinking that this is a dangerous lizard. Both male and female Bearded Dragons have beards.
Bearded Dragons can change colour very quickly to blend in to their surroundings or to make themselves less appealing to predators. When threatened, a mature male changes the colour of his beard to black and puffs it up so that the spines appear rigid and his body looks bigger. He also opens his mouth, revealing a bright colour that surprises predators.
Where are they found?
Bearded Dragons only live in Australia, and right across the mainland. If you live near woodlands or dry eucalypt forests, you may see Bearded Dragons coming to investigate your garden, looking for food or a good spot to sun themselves. They can live in many different kinds of habitats such as subtropical wetlands, scrublands, savannahs, shore areas and even in deserts.
The Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata) lives in Queensland, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia.
The Dwarf Bearded Dragon (Pogona minor) lives in Western Australia, Northern Territory and South Australia.
The Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) lives in Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria.
Fast facts:
- Bearded Dragons can drink when it is raining by standing on their back legs with their heads and tails hanging low. As the water runs down the head towards its mouth, the Bearded Dragon simply laps up the droplets.
- The long, low, wide body shape of the Bearded Dragon helps it hug to the ground and remain relatively camouflaged when it is still – but it can move quite quickly if disturbed.
