111 bearded dragon facts

This compilation of 111 bearded dragon facts range from essential to unusual. Curated by the team from Raising Bearded Dragons, a community dedicated to newbie bearded dragon care takers and rescuers.

1. 111 FACTS ABOUT
BEARDED DRAGONS
from your fellow beardie lovers at:
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

2. Disclaimer
In addition to our own personal experience, this list of facts
was compiled from a variety of sources of information from
websites to books and academic papers. As always please do
your due diligence when it comes to purchasing and/or care
of your bearded dragon.
!
‘Captive bearded dragons’ refers to household pets. ‘Wild’
bearded dragons refers to bearded dragons that live
outdoors in their native country and environment.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

3. #1
The color of the Inland bearded dragons
species (wild) originates from the soil of the
region where they come from.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

4. #2
Bearded dragons living in the wild
can go weeks without eating.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

5. #3
When threatened by a larger or more
aggressive dragon ‘arm waving’ is used by
the smaller dragon as a sign of submission.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

6. #4
To mate a male bearded dragon
climbs on the back of a female and
bites her on the side of her neck.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

7. #5
Head bobbing is a sign that a male
dragon uses to show dominance
over a smaller dragon OR to
gesture that he wants to mate
with a female dragon.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

8. #6
Bearded dragons in Australia live in many
different environments and habitats across
the country including - subtropical
woodlands, shore areas, and the desert.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

9. #7
Bearded dragons (along with many other
lizards) are illegal in the state of Hawaii.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

10. #8
Bearded dragons come from
the Agamidae family which includes over
300 species of iguana lizards that are
indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia, and a
few in Southern Europe.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

11. #9
The bearded dragons scale and spikes look
sharp but when they are calm, their spikes
are actually soft and flexible.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

12. #10
Todd Ray who owns the largest collection of
2 headed animals in the world has 2 sets of
two headed bearded dragons. Jeckyl and
Hyde and Pancho and Lefty.
!
In an interview with Huffington Post,
Ray stated Pancho only eats crickets and
Lefty is vegetarian and only eats greens.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

13. #11
Guttural pouch is the name of the skin that
folds under the neck of the bearded dragon.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

14. #12
UV light helps bearded dragons get
Vitamin D needed in their skin which allows
them to absorb the calcium and phosphorous
from their food. For beardies in the wild, UV
light comes naturally through sunlight. For
those as pets it comes from UV lightbulbs.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

15. #13

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Hydration is critical to help
bearded dragons shed their skin properly
during the brumation (hibernation) process.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

16. #14

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A well-balanced bearded dragon diet
includes vegetables, gut loaded feeder
insects such as crickets or dubia roaches
and supplements.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

17. #15

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Skin that is not shed properly
restricts a bearded dragon’s
ability to see long distances.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

18. #16

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When a bearded dragon feels
threatened they will flatten their body.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

19. #17

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A Jacobsen's Organ is located on the
roof of the mouth of the bearded dragon.
This gives them a strong sense of smell and taste.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

20. #18

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When it lies flat against the ground,
the bearded dragon can feel vibrations
transmitted through the soil.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

21. #19
Aestivation is the name given to
the hibernation period in the summer.
Brumation is the hibernation
period in the winter.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

22. #20
Fireflies are toxic and should never
be fed to a bearded dragon.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

23. #21
When bearded dragons get very sick
their backs typically turns to a black (or
extremely dark color) while their legs
turn a light yellowish color.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

24. #22
Bearded dragons only have a specific mating
season in the wild (not in captivity - when
they are pets).

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

25. #23
Bearded dragons carry a small strand of
salmonella which is transmitted through their
feces. This can then be transferred to humans
through ingestion.
!
Always wash your hands with soap and water after
handling a reptile to prevent the possible transmission.
!

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

26. #24
Metabolic Bone Disease or MBD is an illness
that bearded dragons are prone to get when
there is an imbalance of calcium,
phosphorous and vitamin D.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

27. #25
Much like humans, bearded dragons are able
to see in full color.
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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

28. #26
Hatchlings are the name given to bearded
dragons aged 0-2 months old.
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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

29. #27
The holes on either side of the bearded
dragons heads are their ears.
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They have excellent hearing and those as pets have been
known to respond to their name when called.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

30. #28
In the wild, when it rains, the bumpy spots
on the bearded dragons helps to collect
water between them. 
!
A Bearded Dragon will bend downward so that
all of the water can flow between the bumps
to its mouth, where it can be licked up
and provide hydration for them.
!

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

31. #29
Ecdysis is the scientific name for the
shedding process that a
bearded dragon goes through.
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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

32. #30
When they become distressed the
bearded dragons normally soft spikes
will become prickly as a form of protection.
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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

33. #31
Bearded dragons side teeth are permanent
and fused to their jaws. While their front
teeth typically fall out and grow back
regularly.
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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

34. #32
Bearded dragons have a third eye called a
‘parietal eye’. Through this third eye they
can sense heat and shadows, and sometimes
light.
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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

35. #33
For bearded dragons who live in the wild, the
parietal third eye serves as a warning if one
of their main predators, birds, are swooping
down at them. 
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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

36. #34
Bearded dragons shed
throughout their entire lifetime.  
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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

37. #35
 
With every shed, a bearded dragons
color will change, sometimes in subtle
ways and other times in very
noticeable and obvious ways.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

38. #36
Bearded dragons sometimes eat their skin
after it has been shed. It is not unusual and
does not negatively affect their health.


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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

39. #37
Bearded dragons in the wild will eat
anything they can find and fit in their mouth
including small rodents and other lizards.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

40. #38
There is evidence that bearded dragons
have venom. However, it is considered
to be very mild and not dangerous
to humans or other animals.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

41. #39
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On very hot days, bearded dragons in the
wild will burrow into the ground to keep cool.

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RaisingBeardedDragons.com

42. #40

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Pogona Vitticeps is the scientific name
for the Central Bearded Dragon.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

43. #41

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Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona
vitticeps) originated from arid and semi-
arid regions of Central Australia.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

44. #42

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Australia banned the sale of its wildlife
for pet trade since the 1960ʹs.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

45. #43

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!Bearded dragon morphs come from the
process of a breeder taking two different
dragons with selected gene traits and
mating them.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

46. #44

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Bearded dragons are omnivores, which
means that it consumes both plant and
animal-based diet.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

47. #45

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The tails and limbs of bearded dragons
do not regenerate.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

48. #46

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Bearded dragons can partially change
colors to reflect their mood and/or for
communicating and mating.

49. #47

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Bearded dragons are able to swim.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

50. #48

!
! Bearded Dragons can learn to “wave"—
meaning the beardie will rest on three
legs and raise one of its front arms then
slowly wave in a circular motion
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

51. #49

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To prevent overheating, a bearded
dragon can make its skin a very light
color that deflects heat.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

52. #50

!
!When threatened, a bearded dragon
bobs his head, flattens his body,
and puffs out his throat, which
resembles a spiky beard.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

53. #51

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Bearded dragons can run up to 9 miles
(15.5 km) per hour.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

54. #52

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Bearded dragons can run on their hind
legs to escape from their predators.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

55. #53

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Bearded dragons run on their hind legs
to help regulate their body
temperature by raising their
body off the hot ground
in the Australian desert.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

56. #54

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Much like a bear goes into hibernation,
every year bearded dragons go
through a period where they become
lethargic, eat less and won’t come out
much. It is caused brumation.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

57. #55

The brumation process is similar a
mammal’s hibernation period and
lasts for about 2-3 months every year.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

58. #56

Inland bearded dragons reach
sexual maturity at 1 to 2 years of age.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

59. #57

During the courting period, a male will show his
interest in a female bearded dragon
by rapidly bobbing his head.
If the female approves,
she will begin to bob her head,
but at a slower pace.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

60. #58

A bearded dragon can lock its legs
allowing it to sleep while standing up.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

61. #59

A bearded dragon may lose its front teeth when
grabbing or tearing up its prey, but the teeth will
commonly grow back.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

62. #60

Inland bearded dragons who live in the desert
have the capacity to store fat and essential nutrients
in its large abdomen to survive during periods
where its difficult to find food.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

63. #61

Epidermis is the name of the
outer skin that is replicated
during the shedding process.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

64. #62

Bearded dragons who live in the desert or wild get
their water from rainfall, morning dew and
vegetation.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

65. #63

Baby bearded dragons shed
several times a year in their first
year while their bodies are developing.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

66. #64

While humans shed thousands of individual skin
cells every second, bearded dragons are able to do
this in one cycle or process.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

67. #65

Bearded dragons have a triangular shaped head.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

68. #66

Unlike other lizards, bearded dragons
are not able to detach their tails
if they need to escape from predators.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

69. #67

Captive bearded dragons (at maturity)
can breed anytime throughout the year.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

70. #68

The dwarf sized bearded dragon is called a Rankin.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

71. #69

Male dragons can breed with multiple females.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

72. #70

Bearded dragons can have up to 24 eggs
at a time in one clutch.
!
A clutch is a collection of eggs.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

73. #71

After mating, some female bearded dragons
have carried sperm up to 2 years
before laying eggs.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

74. #72

Hypo is short or slang for hypomelanistic.
The word breaks down to hypo
(less than or under) and melanistic
comes from the word ‘melanin’ which refers to
the color or pigmentation of skin or hair.
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So a hypomelanistic bearded dragon would be one that does not
have a dark or a lot of color in their skin. They will be light or
translucent in appearance.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

75. #73

Bearded dragons are ectotherms or cold-blooded
meaning their body temperature changes
depending on the temperature outside.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

76. #74

Bearded dragons are semi-arboreal
which means sometimes
they like to stay in trees.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

77. #75

Similar to the way a dog pants,
bearded dragons sometimes bask
with their mouths wide open to cool off.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

78. #76

The incubation period for bearded dragon eggs
ranges from 50 days to 85 days
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

79. #77


Female bearded dragons in the wild
dig a burrow for their eggs and then
fill it back up to hide it.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

80. #78


Different morphs of bearded dragons
have different patterns.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

81. #79


A bearded dragon has very good vision and
can see its prey in the distance.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

82. #80


To adapt to their dry environments
bearded dragons in the wild can
excrete dry urine to
conserve bodily fluids.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

83. #81


In a 2015 study, published in the journal
Nature, Australian bearded dragons were
found to exhibit sex reversal in the wild.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

84. #82


Bearded dragons can start to breed
between 8 and 18 months.
!
However, it is not recommended to breed a female
bearded dragon until after 18 mos when her body is fully
mature and can safely carry the eggs to term.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

85. #83


Some bearded dragon species such as the
Rankin’s dragons have throats that look
orange or yellow, while most other bearded
dragon species have throats that are pink.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

86. #84


Atadenovirus-infected (ADV-positive) is
a common and deadly disease that can
spread among groups of baby bearded
dragons housed together. Sometimes
referred to as ‘star gazing’ (because it
appears that your dragon is looking up at
the sky), this disease is a result of
unsanitary enclosures and handling.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

87. #85


Without sufficient UV light, the depleted
calcium causes a bearded dragon’s bones
to soften and fracture.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

88. #86


During the process of mating, a male's
throat area - ‘beard’ will visibly darken to
nearly black, while a female's throat
darkens but not as much.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

89. #87


Depending on the type and the
circumstances, bearded dragons colors can
change from black and dark grey to a
bright reddish or orange.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

90. #88


Bearded dragons can grow up to 24 inches
(depending on breed), including their tail.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

91. #89


German Giant bearded dragons is the
name/term given to large (oversized)
dragons. German Giants are the result of 2
larger than average dragons being mated.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

92. #90


In a 2014 study researchers found that
bearded dragons were able to learn how to
open a doorway simply by watching
another animal do it. 
!
via: Dr Anna Wilkinson from the School of Life Sciences, University of Lincoln, UK
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

93. #91


A bearded dragons body needs to become
warm enough (100 degrees Farenheit) to
digest their food.
!
You should never feed your bearded dragon their first
meal of the day immediately after waking up. They need
time to bask in the light and warm up their body.
!
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

94. #92


The average litter size of
a bearded dragon is 15.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

95. #94


Hatchlings weigh about .07 ounces (2 gr)
at birth and average 4 inches (10 cm) in
length.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

96. #95


There are 9 different types of bearded
dragon species.
They are: Pogona Microlepidota, Pogona Minor Minor,
Pogona Minor Minima, Pogona Minor Mitchelli , Pogona
Nullarbor, Pogona Vitticeps, Pogona Vittikins, Pogona
Barbata and Pogona Henrylawsoni (which is also
sometimes referred to as Pogona Brevis).
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

97. #96


The Pogona henrylawsoni is named after a
famous Australian poet named Henry
Lawson.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

98. #96


Feeding a bearded dragon gut loaded
insects means you should feed them
insects which you know have a nutritious
food source (such as insects raised by
professional breeders).
!
Whatever the feeder insects ingests your dragon will
ingest. If your pet bearded dragon eats insects from the
wild (i.e. crickets found outside in your yard) they risk
getting parasites as you have no idea what that insect has
been eating.
!
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

99. #97


While it is illegal to export bearded dragons
(and other reptiles) outside of Australia, the
laws vary within the country.
!
In Tasmania for example, any non-endangered
species may be collected from any area other
than within the boundaries of National Parks.
But in New South Wales and Queensland
reptiles are protected. And it is illegal for pet
shops to deal in reptiles in those regions.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

100. #98


Bearded dragons are diurnal creatures.
!
It means generally they are awake during the
day (when it’s light) and go to sleep at night
(when it’s dark).
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

101. #99


A herpetologist is the name of the zoologist
who specializes in working with reptiles such
as a bearded dragon and amphibians.
!
In many states and countries you can often find a
herpetological society or association which is often
your most accurate source of the latest information
regarding reptile breeding and care.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

102. #100


Bearded dragon husbandry means the science
of caring for, managing and breeding bearded
dragons.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

103. #101


Pygmy dragons also known as miniature
bearded dragons or Rankin’s grow only to a
maximum size of 10 inches.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

104. #102


Bearded Dragons are oviparous which
means they are egg bearing.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

105. #103


When baby bearded dragons first hatch
they will drink water but they typically
will not eat for a period of 1-3 days.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

106. #104


Dubia roaches, a popular bearded dragon
feeder insect, are illegal in the state of
Florida and also in Alberta, Canada.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

107. #105


It is not uncommon for a bearded dragon to
yawn after waking up from a nap or a good
night’s sleep. They yawn by puffing their
beard a few times, then opening and
closing their mouth a few times.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

108. #106


Nine bearded dragon lizards were on call
for the parts of the lizards in the 2003 film
‘Holes’ (they played the role of the ‘yellow
spotted lizards’).
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

109. #107


Leatherback bearded dragons get their
name because they don’t have as many of
the rough scales on their backs. This
results in a leathery like appearance. Due
to their rarity they typically are more
expensive than other bearded dragons
morphs.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

110. #108


When multiple bearded dragons are
housed together, over time they will begin
to show dominance by laying on top of
another one.
!
This prevents the ones on the bottom from getting UV
light and unless you are trying to mate them, they should
be separated.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

111. #109


After baby bearded dragons begin to shed
their color will appear.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

112. #110


Dysecdysis is when bearded dragons have
difficulty in shedding skin.
!
This happens occasionally when humidity
is too low or abrasive/hard surfaces such
as rocks are not accessible to them.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

113. #111


Witblits (white lightning in Afrikkans) are
a special bearded dragon morph that
originated from a breeder in South Africa.
!
When Witblits hatch they are completely
patternless and stay patternless into their
adult years.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

114. Sources


RaisingBeardedDragons.com
http://www.beardeddragoncaresheet.weebly.com http://www.crazyreptile.com www.everythingreptile.org
http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au http://www.dolittlefarm.com.au http://www.rioreptiles.com/eggs.html
http://www.imdb.com http://nationalzoo.si.edu http://grangereptiles.co.uk
http://www.beardeddragontime.com http://www.beardeddragontime.com https://espace.library.uq.edu.au
http://www.dailymail.co.uk www.thebeardeddragon.org/ www.softschools.com
www.onlinebeardeddragoncare.com https://a-z-animals.com www.beardeddragonguide.com
pogopogona.com/ switchzoo.com www.peteducation.com
natgeo.petsmart.com/ pets.petsmart.com https://en.wikipedia.org
www.vetstreet.com www.youngzine.org small-pets.lovetoknow.com
www.arkive.org https://www.petco.com www.lllreptile.com
https://www.zoo.org australianmuseum.net.au mybeardie.com/
www.animalstown.com/ world-of-reptiles.blogspot.com www.pets4homes.co.uk/
www.chinatopix.com www.yourbeardeddragon.com www.animalplanet.com
www.inlandbeardeddragons.com www.reptilesmagazine.com www.desertusa.com/
animals.mom.me www.beardeddragonlady.com www.animalbliss.com
This list could not have been possible without acknowledging
these websites. While we did not use all of these sites for facts,
we did visit all of them and cross-reference most of them.

115. About Raising Bearded Dragons


We are reptile enthusiasts, firmly
dedicated to bringing you well-rounded,
quality information in a way that's easy-to-
understand yet comprehensive. We are
thrilled and honored to share our love of
these extraordinary creatures with the
world and with with you.
RaisingBeardedDragons.com

116. LEARN MORE ABOUT
OUR WORK
and our popular video care guide at:
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