Bearded Dragon Species: Diverse, Captivating, and Unique

As a reptile enthusiast and bearded dragon owner, I’ve always been fascinated by these unique and friendly creatures. In this article, I’ll take you through the various bearded dragon species, providing valuable information about their overview, habitat, appearance, diet, behavior, and conservation status. Be prepared to delve into the captivating world of these amazing reptiles!

Comparison of Bearded Dragon Species

Scientific and Common Name Description Distribution Size (in/cm)
Pogona barbata (Eastern Bearded Dragon) Large size, triangular heads, spiky beards, and dark stripes on their bodies Eastern and southeastern parts of Australia Up to 24 in / 60 cm
Pogona henrylawsoni (Rankin’s or Lawson’s Dragon) Smaller size, triangular heads, spiky beards, smaller spikes, and more vibrant colors Semi-arid regions of central Queensland, Australia Up to 12 in / 30 cm
Pogona microlepidota (Small-scaled Bearded Dragon) Small, fine scales, pale gray or brown body color Rocky terrain of the Northern Territory, Australia Up to 6.3 in / 16 cm
Pogona minor minor (Western Bearded Dragon) Medium-sized, brown or gray body color, darker stripes, and spiky beards Semi-arid regions of Western Australia Up to 16 in / 40 cm
Pogona minor minima (Abrolhos Bearded Dragon) Unique appearance with greenish-grey coloration and dark banding, relatively small in size Wallabi group of islands in the Houtman Abrolhos archipelago, Western Australia Up to 14 in / 36 cm
Pogona minor mitchelli (Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon) Light brown or gray body color, distinct dark bands, medium-sized Coastal heathlands of Western Australia Up to 16 in / 40 cm
Pogona nullarbor (Nullarbor Bearded Dragon) Medium-sized, pale brown or gray body color, distinct banding patterns Nullarbor Plain of South Australia and Western Australia Up to 16 in / 40 cm
Pogona vitticeps (Central or Inland Bearded Dragon) Tan, brown, or reddish-gray color with dark banding, large triangular heads, and spiky beards, friendly and curious nature Australia’s semi-arid regions, including New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory Up to 24 in / 60 cm

Pogona barbata

Pogona barbata, also known as the Eastern Bearded Dragon, is one of the larger bearded dragon species.

Habitat

These fascinating creatures are native to the eastern and southeastern parts of Australia, including New South Wales and Queensland.

Appearance

Pogona barbata are distinguished by their relatively large size, reaching lengths of up to 60 centimeters. They are characterized by their triangular heads, spiky beards, and dark stripes on their bodies.

Diet

Eastern Bearded Dragons primarily feed on insects and small vertebrates, but they also consume flowers, leaves, and fruits.

Behavior

Known for being territorial and solitary, Pogona barbata males display aggression towards one another, especially during breeding season.

Conservation Status

Currently, Pogona barbata is not considered endangered or threatened.

Pogona henrylawsoni

Pogona henrylawsoni, often referred to as the Rankin’s or Lawson’s Dragon, is a smaller bearded dragon species.

Habitat

These charming reptiles inhabit the semi-arid regions of central Queensland, Australia.

Appearance

Rankin’s Dragons are considerably smaller than their Eastern counterparts, reaching only up to 30 centimeters in length. They possess similar features, such as triangular heads and spiky beards, but with smaller spikes and more vibrant colors.

Diet

Pogona henrylawsoni primarily feeds on insects, supplemented with fruits and vegetables.

Behavior

Compared to other bearded dragon species, Rankin’s Dragons are more sociable and tend to be active during the daytime.

Conservation Status

Currently, Pogona henrylawsoni is not listed as threatened or endangered.

Pogona microlepidota

Pogona microlepidota
The Pogona microlepidota, also known as the Small-scaled Bearded Dragon, is a rare and lesser-known species.

Habitat

These secretive reptiles inhabit the rocky terrain of the Northern Territory, Australia.

Appearance

As the name implies, Pogona microlepidota has small, fine scales, with a pale gray or brown body color. They are relatively small in size, reaching only about 16 centimeters in length.

Diet

Little is known about this species’ diet, although it’s presumed that they feed primarily on insects.

Behavior

Not much is documented regarding Pogona microlepidota behavior, but it’s assumed that they are solitary and elusive creatures.

Conservation Status

Due to limited information on this species, their exact conservation status remains unconfirmed.

Pogona minor minor

Pogona minor minor, commonly known as the Western Bearded Dragon, is a medium-sized bearded dragon species.

Habitat

These captivating reptiles reside in the semi-arid regions of Western Australia.

Appearance

Western Bearded Dragons are characterized by their brown or gray body color, with darker stripes and spiky beards. They can reach lengths of up to 40 centimeters.

Diet

Pogona minor minor’s diet consists of insects, small vertebrates, and plant matter such as fruits, flowers, and leaves.

Behavior

Western Bearded Dragons are known to be solitary creatures, displaying territorial behavior.

Conservation Status

Currently, Pogona minor minor is not considered endangered or threatened.

Pogona minor minima

Abrolhos Dwarf Bearded Dragon

Also known as the Abrolhos Bearded Dragon, Pogona minor minima is a lesser-known species.

Habitat

This enigmatic species is native only to the Wallabi group of islands in the Houtman Abrolhos archipelago, Western Australia.

Appearance

Abrolhos Bearded Dragons have a unique appearance with greenish-grey coloration and dark banding. They are relatively small in size.

Diet

The diet of Pogona minor minima is believed to consist mainly of insects and plant matter.

Behavior

Due to their small habitat range, not much is known about their behavior.

Conservation Status

The conservation status of Pogona minor minima remains uncertain due to limited information.

Pogona minor mitchelli

Dwarf Bearded Dragon (Pogona minor mitchelli)
Pogona minor mitchelli, or Mitchell’s Bearded Dragon, is an uncommon bearded dragon species.

Habitat

This species inhabits the coastal heathlands of Western Australia.

Appearance

Mitchell’s Bearded Dragons possess a light brown or gray body color, with distinct dark bands. They are medium-sized, reaching lengths of up to 40 centimeters.

Diet

This species’ diet is believed to consist of insects, small vertebrates, and a variety of plant matter.

Behavior

Like other bearded dragons, Pogona minor mitchelli are solitary and territorial.

Conservation Status

Currently, Pogona minor mitchelli has no specific conservation status.

Pogona nullarbor

Pogona nullarbor

The Pogona nullarbor, commonly known as the Nullarbor Bearded Dragon, is another unique species.

Habitat

These elusive dragons inhabit the Nullarbor Plain of South Australia and Western Australia.

Appearance

Nullarbor Bearded Dragons are medium-sized, with a pale brown or gray body color and distinct banding patterns. They can reach lengths of up to 40 centimeters.

Diet

The diet of Pogona nullarbor is presumed to consist mainly of insects and plant matter.

Behavior

Little information is available on Pogona nullarbor’s behavior; however, they are believed to be solitary and territorial like other bearded dragons.

Conservation Status

The conservation status of Pogona nullarbor remains uncertain due to limited research.

Pogona vitticeps

Pogona vitticeps, also known as the Central or Inland Bearded Dragon, is the most popular and well-known bearded dragon species.

Habitat

These remarkable reptiles inhabit Australia’s semi-arid regions, including New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.

Appearance

Central Bearded Dragons are characterized by their tan, brown, or reddish-gray color with dark banding, large triangular heads, and spiky beards. They can reach lengths of up to 60 centimeters.

Diet

Pogona vitticeps has a varied diet, consisting of insects, small vertebrates, and plant matter, such as fruits, flowers, and leaves.

Behavior

Inland Bearded Dragons are known for their friendly and curious nature, making them popular pets among reptile enthusiasts.

Conservation Status

Pogona vitticeps is not currently listed as endangered or threatened.

Conclusion

From the popular Central Bearded Dragon to the lesser-known Small-scaled Bearded Dragon, the intriguing world of bearded dragon species is vast and captivating. While some species are still poorly understood, it’s evident that these unique reptiles possess remarkable characteristics, behaviors, and appearances.

As we continue to learn more about them, we can better appreciate their extraordinary diversity and importance within the natural world.

avatar William
William is a respected pet enthusiast with expertise in reptiles and birds. With extensive experience caring for these animals, he shares his knowledge through engaging and informative articles in various publications. He is an active member of pet-related organizations, volunteering regularly at shelters and promoting animal welfare and conservation. read more...

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