Key Takeaways:
- Bearded dragons are a type of lizard that have a scaly pouch in their throat that resembles a beard.
- There are eight species of bearded dragons, including the Eastern Bearded Dragon, Dwarf Bearded Dragon, Inland or Central Bearded Dragon, Western Bearded Dragon, Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragon, Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon, Nullarbor Bearded Dragon, and Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon.
- Each species of bearded dragon has distinct characteristics, such as size, habitat, and physical features.
Introduction
Bearded dragons are fascinating creatures that belong to the lizard family. In this section, we will delve into their characteristics, including the unique scaly pouch in their throat that resembles a beard. Stay tuned to learn more about these eight species and gain a deeper understanding of these captivating reptiles.
Explanation of what bearded dragons are
Bearded dragons: the rockstars of the lizard family! They have scaly pouches that could make any beard jealous.
The Eastern Bearded Dragon reaches up to 60 cm in length and can weigh over half a kilo. It’s found in Eastern Australia in woods and forests.
Dwarf Bearded Dragons were discovered in the 19th century. They live in rocky habitats across Australia.
The Inland or Central Bearded Dragon was discovered in 1829 and has become popular as a pet due to its adaptability. Native to Central Australia.
Western Bearded Dragons – similar to Dwarf Bearded Dragons, but bigger – reside in arid environments in the west of Australia.
Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragons have fewer scales and spikes. Found mostly in the Drysdale River National Park in northwest Australia.
Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon is the smallest species. It has spines along its back and shorter limbs. Found in central Australia.
Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon has no beard, but is still part of the Pogona family. It’s native to northern Australia.
Brief mention of their classification as part of the lizard family
Bearded dragons belong to the Agamidae family of lizards. This family is known for its variety of species. Dragons and other lizards from this family share certain features, such as scaly skin. Plus, bearded dragons have a unique pouch in their throat that looks like a beard! Even though they are part of the lizard family, dragons have certain features and behaviors that make them special.
Fun Fact: Bearded dragons have a stylish scaly pouch in their throat that looks like a beard!
Description of the scaly pouch in their throat that resembles a beard
Bearded dragons belong to the lizard family. They have a scaly pouch below their jaws that resembles a beard. It’s made of tough, scaly skin. It can expand and darken or flatten and lighten, depending on the dragon’s mood or environment.
This pouch is used for regulating body temperature. When calm or cool, the beard looks flat and light-colored. When threatened or agitated, it puffs up and darkens – creating an intimidating display.
This feature sets them apart from other lizards. It isn’t actual hair but rather thick strands of scales. The shape and size of the pouch vary, but generally serve similar purposes.
The pouch helps thermoregulate bearded dragons. When basking under the sun, they flatten their beard for maximum surface area. To cool down, they puff up their beard to reduce direct sunlight exposure.
It also serves as a communication tool. Males often display dominance by extending and darkening their beards while bobbing their heads. This warns rivals to stay away.
The scaly pouch gives bearded dragons unique abilities. It’s an intriguing feature that separates them from other reptilian species.
Eastern Bearded Dragon
The Eastern Bearded Dragon, known for its size and weight, is a fascinating species worth exploring. In this section, we will delve into a description of the largest and heaviest variety of bearded dragons, along with their unique habitat and where they can be found. Get ready to uncover intriguing facts about this captivating reptile species.
Description of the largest and heaviest variety of bearded dragons
Bearded dragons are exciting reptiles from the lizard family. They have a pouch resembling a beard – hence their name. Of all the varieties, the Eastern Bearded Dragon is the biggest and heaviest.
This species can reach several feet in length and weigh over a pound. It’s larger size makes it a popular subject for research and reptile admirers.
The Eastern Bearded Dragon can be found in eastern Australia. They inhabit forests, scrublands and other environments. Also, they are very agile. This allows them to move swiftly in their habitats.
Bearded dragons: lizards with the scaly pouch that looks like a beard.
Habitat and location
Bearded dragons are a type of lizard. They’re known for their scaly pouch, which looks like a beard. Different species have different characteristics and habitats.
Eastern Bearded Dragon: Found in eastern Australia, they’re the largest and heaviest variety.
Dwarf Bearded Dragon: Discovered at an unknown year, these smaller dragons inhabit specific habitats.
Inland or Central Bearded Dragon: The most commonly domesticated species, they live across various habitats in Central Australia.
Western Bearded Dragon: A subspecies of the Dwarf, they’re larger and live in certain areas.
Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragon: Characterized by smaller scales and fewer spikes, they can be found in Drysdale River National Park.
Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon: The smallest species, they have unique features and live in their own regions.
Nullarbor Bearded Dragon: Broad white stripes and a pronounced spine make this species recognizable. They inhabit a wide range of habitats.
Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon: This species doesn’t have a beard but does have distinct features. It lives in specific locations.
These descriptions show where each bearded dragon species lives. Each one has adapted to the environment, making them an interesting study.
Dwarf Bearded Dragon
The dwarf bearded dragon, a smaller species of bearded dragons, is an intriguing subject to explore. From its unique description to the year of its discovery and its distinct habitat, there’s much to discover about these fascinating creatures. These sub-sections will shed light on the intriguing characteristics of the dwarf bearded dragon, captivating both reptile enthusiasts and those curious about the wonders of nature.
Description of the smaller species of bearded dragons
Bearded dragons are a type of lizard. They have a pouch in their throat that looks like a beard! A small variety, known as the Dwarf Bearded Dragon, was discovered in a certain year. Dwarf Bearded Dragons are much smaller than their larger relatives. They inhabit special habitats, and have unique traits that make them stand out.
Discovery year and habitat
Bearded dragons are a type of lizard that have a scaly pouch resembling a beard. They come from the lizard family, with many species possessing special features. Looking into their discovery year and habitat is interesting.
Making it easier to understand, a table can be made. It will list the species of bearded dragon alongside their discovery year and habitat.
One detail not touched upon yet is the Inland or Central Bearded Dragon. Found in 1829, it thrives in various habitats in Central Australia. It is amazing how each species of bearded dragon has its own characteristics and environment needs.
For owners to keep them healthy, they must recreate their natural habitat. An example is the Eastern Bearded Dragon, needing space and climbing places. Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon needs water and dry areas for their diet.
Exploring the discovery year and habitat of each species shows the range inside the bearded dragon family. By setting up the right environment, we can help their well-being and conservation.
Inland or Central Bearded Dragon
The Inland or Central Bearded Dragon is a fascinating species that has captured the interest of reptile enthusiasts worldwide. In this section, we will explore the most commonly domesticated species of bearded dragons, their unique characteristics, and their adaptability to various habitats in Central Australia. Discover their captivating traits and the remarkable year of their discovery, as we dive into the world of these incredible reptiles.
Description of the most commonly domesticated species of bearded dragons
The Central Bearded Dragon, also known as the Inland Dragon, is a popular pet for reptile lovers! It was discovered in the 1800s and is especially suited for Central Australia. If you’re on the hunt for a dragon companion, this species is the one for you! It is highly adaptable and makes a great pet.
Discovery year and adaptability to various habitats in Central Australia
Bearded dragons, a type of lizard belonging to the reptile family, have a scaly pouch in their throat which resembles a beard. The Inland or Central Bearded Dragon is the most commonly domesticated species. It was discovered in – and has adapted to habitats in Central Australia.
This species has managed to survive even in harsh conditions. From deserts to wooded areas, these bearded dragons find food and shelter.
Other species of bearded dragons have unique traits too. The Western Bearded Dragon is larger and occupies a different habitat range. Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon is the smallest species and has distinctive characteristics for its habitat range.
Pro Tip: To understand these reptiles better, it’s important to learn their unique traits and habitat requirements. This will help with better care and conservation efforts.
Western Bearded Dragon
The Western Bearded Dragon, classified as a subspecies of the Dwarf Bearded Dragon, stands out for its larger size and unique habitat. Let’s delve into the fascinating characteristics of this bearded dragon variant and discover the intriguing world it inhabits.
Mention of the classification as a subspecies of the Dwarf Bearded Dragon
The Western Bearded Dragon is part of the Dwarf Bearded Dragon species! It is bigger than its dwarf counterpart.
Description of larger size and habitat
Bearded dragons come in many species, each with its own features. One such type is the Eastern Bearded Dragon. It’s known for being the biggest and heaviest. It’s found in various locations, showing its adaptability.
The Inland or Central Bearded Dragon is the most domesticated. It was found in Central Australia. It’s popular with reptile fans due to its care-ease.
The Western Bearded Dragon is a subspecies of the Dwarf Bearded Dragon. It’s bigger with its own distinct characteristics. It prefers a particular environment.
Other species include the Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragon, Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon, Nullarbor Bearded Dragon, and Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon. Each has its own traits and habitat.
The Drysdale River Bearded Dragon stands out for its mini size. Despite its size, it’s still unique and charming. This shows that sometimes less is more.
In conclusion, the bearded dragon family offers a wide range of sizes and habitats. There’s one to suit everyone – the Eastern Bearded Dragon, the Inland Bearded Dragon, the Western Bearded Dragon, and the Drysdale River Bearded Dragon.
Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragon
The Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragon, known for its distinct characteristics such as smaller scales and fewer spikes, has a limited presence within the Drysdale River National Park. In this section, we will delve into a description of its unique features and explore its habitat within the park.
Description of smaller scales and fewer spikes compared to other species
This bearded dragon species is set apart from others by its smaller scales and fewer spikes. These physical traits give it a sleek, distinct look. The reduced number of spikes also boosts their mobility. The small scales contribute to thermoregulation, allowing better heat absorption and dissipation. They make up for their lack of scales and spikes with agility and speed. This helps them adapt quickly and escape predators. The small scales also make them less prone to infections or injuries from external factors. All in all, this species is resilient and adaptable, making it a standout among its relatives.
Habitat and limited presence in Drysdale River National Park
If you are in the Drysdale River National Park, keep an eye out for Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon. This species stands out for its small scales and fewer spikes. It is the designated habitat for these reptiles. The perfect environment for them to thrive.
They possess a scaly throat pouch, resembling a beard. Although not as prominent as other varieties. Additionally, they bask in sunlight and consume an insect-based diet.
This sub-species shares many characteristics with other bearded dragon species. This explains their limited presence within the restricted range of the park. Despite its size and spikes, it has a fiery personality that matches its vibrant scales.
Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon
Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon is a fascinating species that captivates reptile enthusiasts. In this section, we’ll explore the unique characteristics and specific traits of the smallest species of bearded dragons. Additionally, we’ll delve into their habitat range, shedding light on where these remarkable creatures can be found in the wild.
Description of the smallest species, with particular characteristics
The smallest species of bearded dragons have features that make them distinct. They are known for their small size. They were discovered in a certain year and are found in various habitats. In addition to their stature, they possess unique traits that make them easily recognizable. This hints at further details about their habitat range.
Habitat range
Bearded dragons are part of the lizard family. They have a scaly pouch that looks like a beard in their throat.
The Eastern Bearded Dragon’s habitat range is in Australia. It can be found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. These places have semi-arid woodlands, grasslands, and urban areas for them to survive.
The Dwarf Bearded Dragon is less common. It lives in areas of Western Australia like Carnarvon and Exmouth Gulf. These places are arid or semi-arid, with rocky habitats and not much vegetation.
The Inland or Central Bearded Dragon lives in Central Australia. It is found in deserts, arid woodlands, grasslands, and shrublands. Its habitat range is from Central Western Australia to Queensland and northern New South Wales.
Western Bearded Dragons are a type of Dwarf Bearded Dragons. They live in Gascoyne and Pilbara in Western Australia, as well as Shark Bay.
Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragons are found mainly in the Drysdale River National Park in Western Australia. They like rocky habitats with sparse plants.
Mitchell’s Bearded Dragons live in Perth Hills, Stirling Range National Park, Great Victoria Desert, and South Australia’s Nullarbor Plain.
The Nullarbor Bearded Dragon lives in South and Western Australia. Its habitat is the Nullarbor Plain – a treeless plain with limestone pavements.
Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragons live in different parts of Western Australia and Northern Territory like Kimberley, Pilbara, Great Sandy Desert, and Tanami Desert. However, they don’t have a beard.
In conclusion, bearded dragons have adapted to different environments in Australia. Each species lives in different places – woodlands, deserts, and rocky areas – depending on their needs.
Nullarbor Bearded Dragon
The Nullarbor Bearded Dragon, known for its distinct features like broad white stripes and pronounced spines, is found in a unique habitat range.
Description of the distinct features, such as broad white stripes and pronounced spine
Bearded dragons have distinctive features that make them stand out from other lizards. For example, they can have broad white stripes and a pronounced spine. These markings give them a unique look, and they are easily identifiable.
These special features contribute to the individuality of different bearded dragon species. They are fascinating to observe and serve as an identifying factor for reptile enthusiasts and researchers.
The broad white stripes may vary in size and thickness, creating distinct visual effects on each individual. The pronounced spine also varies in prominence depending on the species, giving each type its own physical appearance.
The habitat range of bearded dragons is vast, covering the best neighborhoods around the world. This makes them reptile realtors with scales!
Habitat range
Bearded dragons are reptiles that belong to the lizard family. They have a scaly pouch in their throat resembling a beard, thus earning their name.
Each species has its own range of habitats and distributions. Here are some species of bearded dragons:
- Eastern Bearded Dragon: Found mainly in New South Wales and Queensland. They live in woodlands, shrublands, and urban areas.
- Dwarf Bearded Dragon: Smaller species native to arid regions of Western Australia. They live in rocky outcrops and sand dunes.
- Inland or Central Bearded Dragon: Spread across Central Australia, they occupy deserts, grasslands, and eucalypt woodlands.
- Western Bearded Dragon: A subspecies of Dwarf Bearded Dragon, found in coastal regions of Western Australia. They inhabit sand dunes and coastal heathlands.
- Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragon: They prefer rocky habitats, mostly found in Drysdale River National Park in northern Western Australia.
- Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon: Small size, found in central Queensland and northern New South Wales. They live in open habitats like grasslands and woodlands.
- Nullarbor Bearded Dragon: Exclusively present on the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia. They adapt to arid conditions and inhabit scrubland with limestone formations.
- Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon: No beard here! Native to southern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales, they occupy woodland areas.
Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon: No beard? No worries! These guys show you don’t need facial hair to be fabulous.
Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon
Rankin’s or Lawson’s bearded dragon, known for its unique characteristic of being “beardless,” is a fascinating species to explore. In this section, we will uncover intriguing details about this bearded dragon, including its habitat range and the absence of a prominent beard. Get ready to dive into the distinct features of Rankin’s or Lawson’s bearded dragon and discover what sets it apart from other species.
Mention of the absence of a “beard” in this species
Rankin’s and Lawson’s Bearded Dragons lack the trademark “beard” seen in other species. This absence sets them apart from their peers. Caution! Don’t be fooled by their cuteness – these bad boys are the lizards of the underworld.
Habitat range
Bearded dragons, known for their scaly pouch resembling a beard, occupy distinct habitats. The Eastern Bearded Dragon is the largest and heaviest, found in secluded areas along the east coast of Australia. The Dwarf Bearded Dragon, smaller in size, inhabits central Australia. While the Inland or Central Bearded Dragon is commonly domesticated and adapts to various habitats in central Australia.
The Western Bearded Dragon, a subspecies of the Dwarf, lives in western Australia and is larger than its relative. The Small-scaled or Drysdale River Bearded Dragon has smaller scales and fewer spikes, choosing to stay in Drysdale River National Park. Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon, the smallest species, is widely spread in different habitats. Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon, without a “beard”, resides in its own habitat range.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons are amazing reptiles of the genus Pogona. There are 8 species with their own unique traits. They include:
- Central (Pogona vitticeps)
- Inland (Pogona minor minor)
- Western (Pogona minor minor)
- Rankin’s (Pogona henrylawsoni)
- Dwarf (Pogona henrylawsoni)
- Nullarbor (Pogona nullarbor)
- Lawsons (Pogona henrylawsoni)
- Eastern (Pogona barbata)
You can find them in many parts of Australia, each adapted to its environment. For instance, Central bearded dragons are common in dry areas. The Eastern species is native to the east.
Each species has distinct physical features, behavior, and habitat choices. Western dragons have bright colors and live in rocky deserts, whereas Lawsons are smaller and less striking.
Note: There may be other variations or subspecies that have not been classified yet. Taxonomy of these creatures is still being studied.
Pro Tip: When you’re getting a bearded dragon as a pet, look into the specific species you’re interested in. Each one has its own care needs. Being aware of these will help you give the best care to your pet.
To sum it up, bearded dragons are amazing reptiles with 8 species. Their taxonomy is under study. Do your research on the species you want before getting one as a pet.
Some Facts About “What Are the 8 Species of Bearded Dragons?”:
- ✅ Bearded dragons are classified into 8 different species. (Sources: Team Research, reptilesly.com, reptilein.com)
- ✅ The Eastern Bearded Dragon is the largest and heaviest of the 8 species. (Sources: Team Research, reptilesly.com)
- ✅ The Eastern Bearded Dragon is commonly found in the eastern part of Australia. (Sources: Team Research, reptilesly.com)
- ✅ The Rankin’s or Lawson’s Bearded Dragon is the most distinct among the 8 species, as it has no “beard”. (Sources: Team Research, reptilein.com)
- ✅ Bearded dragons come in various colors such as green, brown, blue, red, and yellow. (Sources: reptilein.com)
FAQs about What Are The 8 Species Of Bearded Dragons?
What are the 8 species of bearded dragons?
The 8 species of bearded dragons are:
- Genus Pogona
- Jew Lizards
- New Zealand Beaded Dragon
- Pygmy Bearded Dragon
- Mexican Beaded Dragon
- Australian Bearded Dragon (Pogona Vitticeps)
- Oriental Beaded Dragon
- Kimberley Bearded Dragon (Pogona Microlepidota)