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Fast Facts:

The bearded dragon is named for the "beard" of pointy spines that cover the area of the throat and ear openings.
Pogona vitticeps is another commonly used scientific name for the Inland bearded dragon.

Inland Bearded Dragon

Scientific Name	Acanthodraco vitticeps
Classification	Phylum: Chordata, Class: Reptilia, Order: Squamata, Suborder: Sauria, Family: Agamidae
Status	Not endangered
Range	Australia
Habitat	scrub areas and dry coastal forests
Diet	Omnivorous- grass, fruit, flowers, other lizards, insects, mice
Size	16-24 inches in length; the tail comprises about half the length of the animal
Lifespan
Location	Education animal. Not on exhibit
Print Fact Sheet	Bearded Dragon

Special Features

Bearded dragons have an unusual "arm waving" behavior. A lizard will stand on three legs while waving its arm in a circular motion. This behavior is used in acknowledging other individuals that are at a distance. It is also employed by females during mating season as a display of submission.
Both wild and captive bearded dragons enjoy basking in the sun.

Social Structure & Behavior

Reproduction
During mating or territorial displays, males may inflate and darken the skin in the throat area. The “beard” of spines helps to enhance their “menacing” appearance to predators or rivals.

Bearded Dragons come into sexual maturity during their second year and remain prolific through their fifth or sixth year. A female may lay as many as 10-25 eggs in a nest. The eggs typically hatch in 8-11 weeks.