Pogona vitticeps
About
The Pogona vitticeps is commonly known as the bearded dragon or the central bearded dragon. The Pogona vitticeps is one of eight species contained in the Pogona genus. This species of the Pogona genus is the most popular among pet owners.
Description
The Pogona vitticeps length ranges from 32 cm to 60 cm with the tail contributing about 50% of the total length. The Pogona vitticeps is commonly known as the “Bearded Dragon”, this name comes from the beard-like spikey pouch on their throats which is on the underside of their triangular heads. (Tosney 1996)
The Pogona vitticeps varies widely in color. In the wild, colors range from brown, red, yellow, and orange. In captivity, the Pogona vitticeps exhibits a wider range of color through selective breeding. You can learn more about the different bearded dragon morphs in our blog post.
Geography
Pogona vitticeps is commonly found in eastern and central Australia. This species is commonly found in desert and grassland biomes. The Pogona vitticeps inhabits a large range of environments that include woodlands, arid-woodlands, and rocky deserts. (Grenard 1999)
Behavior
Like most other reptiles, the vitticeps have signals for mating and dominance. The beard will be inflated and black as a sign of aggression by females and the males will use this as either a sign of aggression or a mating ritual. Arm waving is another common signal for the vitticeps. The dragon will wave one of its front arms in a circular motion. This often signals a sign of submission, whether that be to a bigger dragon or a female to a male who is attempting to mate with her. A male will signal he wants to mate by head bobbing with a black beard. To assert dominance, the male aggressively moves his head up and down.
Diet
The Pogona vitticeps is an omnivore. Food is scarce in the regions they inhabit, as such, they are not picky eaters. Their diet consists of plant matter, insects, and on occasion small rodents or other lizards. (Grenard 1999)
Lifespan
The lifespan of the vitticeps can range from 10 to 15 years.
References
Grenard, S. 1999. An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet: The Bearded Dragon. New York, NY: Howell Book House.
Tosney, K. 1996. "Caring for an Australian Bearded Dragon".
Periat, J. 2000. "Pogona vitticeps" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed May 29, 2020