The bearded dragon, or Pogona, gets its name from the “beard” on its throat. This area darkens and puffs up when the lizard feels stressed, threatened, or is mating. This guide explores fascinating facts about these intriguing lizards.
8 Interesting Facts About Bearded Dragons
1: Bearded Dragons Are Native to Australia
The bearded dragon, or Pogona, gets its name from the “beard” on its throat, which darkens and puffs up when stressed, threatened, or mating. Interested in these unique reptiles? This guide explores fascinating facts about bearded dragons, an intriguing lizard species.
Bearded dragons thrive in arid and semi-arid regions, primarily in Australia. The Eastern Bearded Dragon, also called the common bearded dragon, is widespread in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria. The Western Bearded Dragon, or Dwarf, is found in Western Australia, the western half of South Australia, and the southwestern Northern Territory. The Pogona minor minima is unique to islands off Western Australia’s coast.
2: Bearded Dragons Can Climb Trees
Wild bearded dragons, found mainly in terrestrial areas, are skilled climbers with semi-arboreal habits. They use their climbing ability to access food and evade predators. As natural backers, they often climb trees to find the best sun spots or assert dominance over other dragons.
3: Bearded Dragons Can Regrow Their Teeth
All multicellular organisms, including humans and bearded dragons, have an incredible ability to repair and regenerate damaged tissue essential for survival. Bearded dragons can heal injuries and even replace worn-out body parts. Like sharks and geckos, they rely on a common biological process to regrow their polyphyodont front teeth continuously.
4: Bearded Dragons Are Omnivores
Bearded dragons are omnivores with a varied diet that includes plants and animal protein. They eat live mealworms, kingworms, crickets, greens like parsley and kale, and vegetables such as peppers and sweet potatoes. Fruits like apples, peaches, plums, watermelons, blueberries, and pears can be given in moderation.
5: Bearded Dragons Are Cold-Blooded
Bearded Dragons are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature relies on the surrounding environment. They bask in sunlight to regulate their warmth and require UV light and proper humidity to thrive. These reptiles cannot tolerate extreme heat and will retreat to underground burrows to escape high temperatures. Australia’s warm, dry climate makes it an ideal habitat, supporting their widespread presence in the region.
6: Bearded Dragons Have Three Eyes
Bearded dragons have three eyes: two primary ones for seeing images and a third, the parietal eye, located on top of their head. Unlike the primary eyes, the parietal eye doesn’t see pictures. It detects shadows and changes in light, including UV light. This helps regulate their body temperature, hormone production, sleep cycles, appetite, balance, and navigation. Additionally, the parietal eye acts as an early warning system, alerting them to potential predators like snakes and hawks.
7: Bearded Dragons Can Change Their Sex
Bearded dragons have a unique sex-determination process that depends on both chromosome combinations and temperature. Studies show that if eggs are incubated below 89.60 °F (32°C), embryos with two Z chromosomes (ZZ) become males, while those with a Z and W chromosome develop into females. However, if the temperature rises above 89.60 °F (32°C), ZZ dragons that are typically male may develop as females. This phenomenon is called temperature-dependent sex reversal.
8: Bearded Dragons Smell With Their Tongue
Bearded dragons have scent receptors in their mouths that allow them to detect various smells in their environment. Similar to snakes, they use their tongues to capture scent particles from the air and transfer them to the roof of their mouths. This helps them locate food, find mates, or detect potential threats. While their nostrils sense smells and help identify the source’s location, their tongues offer stereo smell, allowing them to determine the direction of scents without having to move toward or away from them.
Conclusion
Bearded dragons belong to about eight different species, each with unique traits. There’s always more to learn about these incredible reptiles. The interesting facts mentioned above deepen your understanding of these captivating creatures. From their tree-climbing skills to their ability to smell with their tongues, bearded dragons never fail to fascinate pet owners, researchers, and enthusiasts.
FAQs
What are some fun facts about a bearded dragon?
- Bearded dragons are native to Australia.
- Bearded dragons can climb trees.
- When given enough food and shelter, they will regrow their teeth.
- As well as being cold-blooded omnivores
- Bearded dragons are cold-blooded.
- Bearded dragons have three eyes.
- They also have three-chambered reproductive cycles and can change sexes
- When desired while using their tongues to scent their surroundings!
Are bearded dragons omnivores?
Bearded dragons are omnivores. They eat a variety of foods, such as green vegetables, fruits, worms, and insects.
Can bearded dragons climb trees?
Yes, wild bearded dragons can climb trees, particularly when food is scarce. They also climb trees to bask in the sunlight.
Are bearded dragons cold-blooded?
Bearded dragons are cold-blooded, meaning their body temperature is influenced by the surrounding environment. To maintain a proper body temperature, they bask in sunlight.
Do bearded dragons have 3 eyes?
Yes, bearded dragons have three eyes. They use the two front eyes to see images around them, while the third eye, known as the parietal eye, detects changes in light and shadows.