bearded dragons
Sign in to savePogona is a genus of reptiles containing eight lizard species, which are often known by the common name bearded dragons or informally (especially in Australia) beardies. The name "bearded dragon" refers to the underside of the throat (or "beard") of the lizard, which can turn black and become inflated for a number of reasons, most often as a result of stress, if they feel threatened, or are trying to entice a mate. They are a semiarboreal species, spending significant amounts of time on branches, in bushes, and near human habitation. Pogona species bask on rocks and exposed branches in the mor
Wikidata facts
- Instance of
- taxon
- Parent taxon
- Amphibolurinae
- Image
- Beardy - Christopher Watson.jpg
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- P105
- genus
- P910
- Category:Pogona
- P183
- Australia
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Article
20 sectionsContents
- Description
- Habitat
- Species
- Behavior
- Reproduction
- Congenital defects
- In captivity
- Captive diet
- Common health issues
- Metabolic bone disease
- Hypocalcemia
- Impaction
- Upper respiratory infection (URI)
- Atadenovirus
- Lighting
- Gallery
- See also
- References
- Further reading
- External links
Pogona is a genus of reptiles containing eight lizard species, which are often known by the common name bearded dragons or informally (especially in Australia) beardies. The name "bearded dragon" refers to the underside of the throat (or "beard") of the lizard, which can turn black and become inflated for a number of reasons, most often as a result of stress, if they feel threatened, or are trying to entice a mate. They are a semiarboreal species, spending significant amounts of time on branches, in bushes, and near human habitation. Pogona species bask on rocks and exposed branches in the mornings and afternoons and sleep at night, making them a diurnal species. Their diet consists primarily of vegetation and some insects. They are found throughout much of Australia and inhabit environments such as deserts and shrublands.
== Description == thumb|upright=0.5|right|Captive adult measuring over 30 cm (1 ft) thumb|right|Galore Hill Nature Reserve, New South Wales, Australia thumb|Skeleton at the Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States The genus Pogona is in the subfamily Amphibolurinae of the lizard group Agamidae. Bearded dragons are characterized by their broad, triangular heads, flattened bodies, and rows and clusters of spiny scales covering their entire bodies. When threatened, bearded dragons puff up their bodies and beards to ward off predators and make their somewhat dull spikes seem more dangerous. Bearded dragons display a hand-waving gesture to show submission (most often when acknowledging another bearded dragon's territory), and a head-bobbing display to show dominance between dragons. Some have the ability to slightly change color in response to certain stimuli including rivalry challenges between males and ambient temperature changes (e.g., turning black to absorb heat). Bearded dragons occur in a variety of colors including browns and blacks and morphs and can range from being all dark to completely white under controlled breeding conditions. Males grow up to long, and females up to .