SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pogona vitticeps

The bearded dragon is a reptile known throughout a large range in Australia. It’s one of the tamest lizards but when it’s frightened, the dragon will expand the area under its throat and gapes its mouth open. The scales, or beard, under the neck will also turn pitch black, giving the animal its name. Despite this bluff, the bearded dragon is a calm, docile lizard who almost never bites and is becoming a very popular pet. The bearded dragon will spend most of its time perched on logs, rocks, or tree trunks looking for food. It’s adapted to eat almost any food that is available during the dry season and will store nutrients in huge abdominal fat bodies. During breeding, male dragons use a rapid head bobbing display to attract females. In response to the male, the female will return a series of slower head bobs. Both sexes will wave their arms to calm more dominant animals.