# bearded dragons (*Pogona*) Bearded dragons are friendly lizards that love to bask in the sun. They have a spiky beard that puffs up when they're excited or feeling brave! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Desert - **Also known as:** Bearded Dragon, Beardie, Pogona, Pogona vitticeps ![bearded dragons](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426779/objects/7160.jpg) ## Appearance The bearded dragon has a broad, triangular head and a flat body covered in spiky scales, especially around its throat, which form a 'beard'. Their color varies from tan to brown, red, or orange, blending into their arid habitats. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Lacertilia - **Family:** Agamidae - **Genus:** Pogona ## Interesting facts - Some can run super fast on two legs for short distances! - These amazing lizards sometimes dig burrows to escape the desert heat. - When cold, they darken their skin to soak up more sun! - Young bearded dragons eat a lot more bugs than adult dragons! ## Special abilities - **Color Communicator:** Bearded dragons can change skin color to show mood or regulate body temperature, helping them warm up or cool down. - **Puffy Threat Display:** A bearded dragon can puff out its spiky 'beard' to look bigger and scarier, helping them warn away predators. - **Arm Waving Signal:** Bearded dragons sometimes slowly wave an arm, which helps them communicate with other dragons in their territory. - **Third Eye Detector:** Bearded dragons have a 'third eye' on top of their head that senses light and shadow, helping them detect predators from above. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 40-60 cm - **Weight:** 0.3-0.6 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 20 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-30 - **Incubation:** 55-75 days ## Diet & Feeding These omnivores munch on both yummy bugs and leafy greens to stay healthy and strong! - **Age differences:** Young dragons eat more insects for growth, while adults consume more plant matter. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Locusts, Cockroaches, Leafy greens, Flowers, Fruits - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Wedge-tailed Eagle (*Aquila audax*) — Large raptors that prey on lizards. - **Eaten by:** Gould's Goanna (*Varanus gouldii*) — Large lizards that opportunistically eat them. - **Hunts:** Australian Plague Locust (*Chortoicetes terminifera*) — They actively hunt these common desert insects. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Desert](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/desert): Desert habitats are arid regions characterized by extremely low precipitation and often extreme temperatures, supporting specialized flora and fauna. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always wash your hands after touching a bearded dragon, and ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify bearded dragons? Compare toes, scales, head shape, crests and tail proportions. Many lizards can drop and regrow their tails, so a short tail isn't always a species trait. Lizard Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is bearded dragons? 40-60 cm ### How much does bearded dragons weigh? 0.3-0.6 kg ### How long does bearded dragons live? 10-15 years ### How fast can bearded dragons move? 20 km/h ### What does bearded dragons eat? These omnivores munch on both yummy bugs and leafy greens to stay healthy and strong! ### Where is bearded dragons usually found? Desert ### How does bearded dragons hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alameda-wildlife-conservation-park) — Gibraltar, GI · Zoo ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Bearded Dragons: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bearded-dragons)