Aussie_bearded_dragon Bearded Dragons are now becoming a popular choice for pets around US, Europe and in Australia. Mostly in Australia because this is where the Bearded Dragons are most common and have originated. Australia has strict laws relating to its wildlife, thus the bearded dragons found in US or in Europe are the descendants from founder animals imported in these countries.

The Bearded Dragons are divided into several sub-species but the most common species as pets are the Pogona Vitticeps. It was formerly known with the scientific name of Amphibolurus Vitticeps and is also sometimes called as the Central Bearded Dragon or the Yellow-headed Bearded Dragon.

The deserts and woodlands of Central Australia are the natural habitat of the Bearded Dragons. They usually like to bask on rocks, amble on bushes and trees and burrow underground and hibernate in extreme weather conditions. Bearded dragons are naturally accustomed to hot, dry conditions and need to be kept in an enclosure that supports this environment should you consider in taking them as pets.

These tiny creatures could grow as long as 2 feet in length including the tails and they feed on a wide variety of plants and insects due to their omnivorous and diurnal nature. They are accustomed to extremely harsh environments and thus can eat almost any food that is available but still be able to store nutrients in their huge abdominal fat bodies. They are usually tan to yellow in color and as their name suggests, have beard-like appearance that is actually a flared out skin in their throat areas that they ‘blow out’ whenever they are startled, threatened or engaged in a mating activity. They have spines all over their throats, sides of the head and body and have a distinct wedge-shaped head that it loves to ‘bob’ around when interacting with others of its kind. They also have tails that are almost as long as their bodies.

bearded-dragon Distinguishing males from females is quite difficult among hatchlings and juveniles and their bodies tend to look all the same. But once they become adults, sexual differences become more apparent. The male dragons generally have larger heads and larger, darker beards. But this is always not accurate. The femoral pores of males also help to distinguish them from females. Males have hemipenile bulge in the base of their tails. Looking under their tails you will see two bulges on each side of the underneath of their tail with a dimple in between them. Females lack these bulges and in some cases have just a bump by the vent of their tails.

Bearded dragons reach their full maturity and reproductive age at two years of age or particularly on their 18th to 24th month. During breeding season , the beards of mature males turn black signifying that they are ready and capable of mating. Female dragons may lay from up to 15 to 50 eggs for 6 times the most in a year. These females protect their eggs by burrowing them into shallow nests in warm, moist and sandy soils.

Bearded dragons are typically social creatures and they seem to enjoy interaction with humans. Although they are territorial in nature, they are very easy to tame and are friendly and engaging once they are accustomed and interested in their surroundings in captivity. They frequently become very secure in their environment and soon stop displaying their beard. They are also very easy to keep and handle due to their manageable length and sizes. When they are properly cared for, they can live from up to 7 to 10 years.