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Table of Contents
Bearded Dragons are commonly found in Australia and are considered to be one of the best pet lizards. These lizards belong to the genus Pogona which contains eight lizard species. Their name refers to the “beard” of the dragon, the underside of the throat turns black if it sees any danger.
See the fact file below for more information on the Bearded Dragon, or you can download our 23-page Bearded Dragon worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
- Bearded Dragons are fascinating little creatures.
- They come in a variety of different colors and have triangular heads, flattened bodies, and rows of spiny scales covering their entire bodies.
- They love sunbathing and are both inquisitive and friendly.
- The Bearded Dragon’s scientific name is Pogona, and eight recognized species exist.
- Bearded Dragons are reptiles (cold-blooded) and omnivores (they eat both plant and animal matter).
- The average lifespan of the bearded dragon is 4-10 years in the wild and 10-15 years in captivity.
- Adults will grow to 18 – 22 in (45 – 55 cm) and weigh 10-18 oz (280 – 510 gr).
- Bearded dragons are affectionately known as “beardies”.
- In the 1960s, Australia banned the export of wild bearded dragons to protect the species. The United States, and other countries, bred bearded dragons for the pet trade.
Physical Characteristics
- Newborn bearded dragons are about 4 in (10 cm). Adults grow up to 24 in (60 cm).
- They are usually a tan or yellow color.
- The bearded dragon gets its name because it has spikes under its chin that puff up, making it look like it has a natural beard. They do this when feeling threatened.
- They have spiny scales on their body which are arranged in rows and clusters.
- The bearded dragon has a triangular-shaped head and a muscular body.
- Male bearded dragons have broader heads and darker beards than females.
- Females have thinner bodies and longer tails than males.
- The femoral pores, found on the inside of the thigh, are larger in males and helpful in distinguishing between males and females.
- Bearded Dragons have the ability to change the color of different parts of their body. This function acts as a temperature regulator and is also used as a defense mechanism.
- Additionally, bearded dragons produce venom from a single venom gland in the mouth. This venom is generally harmless to humans, but it can be deadly to small animals.
Habitat and Diet
- Bearded dragons are found in central and eastern Australia’s arid to semiarid regions.
- They spend most of their time on branches, bushes, and rocks, bathing in the sunshine.
- Bearded dragons dig burrows in the sand and hide underground to cool down when it’s extremely hot.
- Bearded Dragons also hibernate in burrows during cold spells.
- Bearded dragons are not fussy eaters and enjoy a variety of food.
- Young Bearded Dragons feed on small insects, and as they grow, they start eating vegetation.
- Adult bearded dragons have strong jaws with which they can crush hard-shelled insects.
- Bearded dragons also eat fruit, flowers, crickets, small lizards, and rodents.
Species
- There are eight species of bearded dragons:
- Pogona barbata (Cuvier, 1829), also called the Eastern bearded dragon, is found in wooded parts of Australia.
- Pogona henrylawsoni (Wells & Wellington), 1985, also called Rankin’s dragon, Black-soil bearded dragon, Dumpy dragon, Dwarf bearded dragon, or the Pygmy bearded dragon.
- Pogona microlepidota (Glauert, 1952), also called the Kimberley bearded dragon, which has a small, narrow head and wide body.
- Pogona minima (Loveridge, 1933), the Western bearded dragon, is found only on islands at Houtman Abrolhos, off the west coast of Australia.
- Pogona minor (Sternfeld, 1919), also called the Western bearded dragon or Dwarf bearded dragon, is found on the southwest coast and interior of Western Australia.
- Pogona mitchelli (Badham, 1976), or North-west bearded dragon
- Pogona nullarbor (Badham, 1976), or Nullarbor bearded dragon, is a large, short-snouted, short-tailed dragon.
- Pogona vitticeps (Ahl, 1926), Central bearded dragon or inland bearded dragon, is found in eastern and central Australia.
Behavior and Temperament
- Bearded Dragons gain a frightening appearance when they feel threatened, in danger, or they want to show aggression.
- Showing aggression and appeasement is also a normal part of their social interactions with other bearded dragons.
- A dominant male will show aggression against any rival male trying to attack his territory, take his food sources, or compete for females.
- They change their appearance by enlarging their throat and flattening their body.
- Their beards puff out, turn dark black and enlarge during the display of aggression. Females also have these abilities.
- Bearded dragons also open their mouths wide to look frightening and dominant.
- They have strong jaws, but they will only usually attack predators in case of extreme danger.
Reproduction and Young
- There is no specific mating season for bearded dragons.
- They can breed throughout the year. However, for those bearded dragons that hibernate, when brumation ends, the males go out to find a mate.
- Courtship rituals include the male bobbing his head up and down, stomping his feet, and waving his arms in front of a female to impress her.
- After mating, females dig burrows to lay their clutch of 15 to 30 eggs.
- Female bearded dragons are able to store sperm and lay two clutches of eggs from one mating session.
- Eggs take around 60 days to hatch.
- When the eggs hatch, the baby bearded dragons are independent and can fend for themselves.
- Bearded Dragons take 8 to 12 months to reach puberty.
- Temperate influences the sex of the baby bearded dragon. If temperatures are low, around 30 °C, the newborns will be predominantly male, and if temperatures are high, around 34°C, the newborn will be primarily female.
Bearded Dragon Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Bearded Dragon across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Bearded Dragon worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Bearded Dragons, which are commonly found in Australia and are considered to be one of the best pet lizards. These lizards belong to the genus Pogona which contains eight lizard species. Their name refers to the “beard” of the dragon, the underside of the throat turns black if it sees any danger.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Bearded Dragon Facts
- Species of bearded dragons
- Setting up tank for pet bearded dragon
- Scientific classification
- Completing the facts
- Identifying true or false statements
- Answer the questions
- My pet bearded dragon
- Health issues of bearded dragons
- Behaviors of bearded dragons
- Congenital defects
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bearded dragons make a good pet?
Bearded dragons are gentle, inquisitive, and friendly. They are easy to care for, so they make good pets. They are active during the day, grow up to two feet in length (60 cm), and can live for about 15 years. A proper “home” needs to be prepared for them to live in, so do read up on them before getting one.
Do bearded dragons bite?
Bearded dragons do have teeth, and bites can cause a bruise or even break the skin, so yes, they bite, and it will probably hurt a bit.
Can bearded dragons run fast?
Bearded dragons can run about five m.p.h. Apparently, pet bearded dragons enjoy going for walks on a leash.
What do bearded dragons eat?
In the wild, bearded dragons mainly eat worms, cockroaches, crickets, and small creatures such as mice. Leaves, vegetables, and fruit make up the balance of their diet. Pet bearded dragons have a slightly different diet.
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Link will appear as Bearded Dragon Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, January 24, 2019
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.