8 Interesting Facts About Bearded Dragons
The bearded dragon, scientifically known as Pogona, earns its common name from the distinctive feature on its throat known as the “beard.” This area can darken and puff up in response to stress, threats, or mating.
Are you interested in learning more about these beardies? This comprehensive guide highlights the fascinating facts about bearded dragons, the intriguing lizard species.
8 Interesting Facts About Bearded Dragons
1: Bearded Dragons Are Native to Australia
Bearded dragons primarily inhabit arid or semi-arid environments like Australia. The Eastern Bearded Dragon, also known as the common bearded dragon or bearded lizard, is prevalent in New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria.
The Western Bearded Dragon or Dwarf is found across most of Western Australia, the western half of South Australia, and the Southwest of the Northern Territory. The Pogona minor minima is only found on the islands of the Western Australian coast.
2: Bearded Dragons Can Climb Trees
Wild bearded dragons, typically found in terrestrial areas, exhibit semi-arboreal and adept tree climbers. They use this expertise to get the food and as a defense mechanism against the predators. Bearded dragons are baskers who often climb trees to find optimal sun spots or out-bask other dragons, indicating their dominance.
3: Bearded Dragons Can Regrow Their Teeth
All multicellular organisms, ranging from bearded dragons to humans, possess a remarkable ability to repair and regenerate their damaged tissue, which is vital for survival. These lizards not only heal their injuries but also replace worn-out body parts.
Similar to sharks and geckos, bearded dragons continually employ a shared biological process to regrow their polyphyodont front teeth over time.
4: Bearded Dragons Are Omnivores
As omnivores, bearded dragons have a diverse diet that includes plant matter and animal protein. They consume live mealworms, kingworms, and crickets, as well as greens such as parsley and kale and vegetables like peppers and sweet potatoes. Additionally, they can enjoy a moderate amount of fruits like apples, peaches, plums, watermelons, blueberries, and pears.
5: Bearded Dragons Are Cold-Blooded
Bearded Dragons are cold-blooded (ectotherms), which means their body temperature depends on the environmental temperature. They bask in sunlight to regulate their body temperature. They need to adjust humidity and fetch UV light to create optimal conditions.
These reptiles cannot withstand extreme heat and will seek shelter in underground burrows to escape excessive temperatures. The warm and dry climate of Australia provides an ideal habitat for them, contributing to their abundance in the region.
6: Bearded Dragons Have Three Eyes
One of the peculiar facts about bearded dragons is that they possess three eyes. They have three eyes: two primary eyes (for seeing images) and a third eye (the parietal eye on top of their head).
Unlike the primary eye, the parietal eye doesn’t see images; instead, it senses shadows and changes in light intensity, including UV light. So, it helps regulate body temperature, hormone production, sleep cycles, appetite, balance, and navigation. Furthermore, the parietal eye serves as an early warning system to sense approaching predators like snakes and hawks.
7: Bearded Dragons Can Change Their Sex
Bearded dragons have an unusual sex determination process influenced by chromosome combinations and temperature. Research indicates that in eggs incubated below 89.60 °F (32°C), the embryonic bearded dragons with two Z chromosomes (ZZ) develop as males, while those with Z and W chromosomes develop as females.
If the temperature exceeds 89.60 °F (32°C), chromosomally male ZZ dragons may instead develop as females. This process of sex dependence on temperature is known as temperature-dependent sex reversal.
8: Bearded Dragons Smell With Their Tongue
Bearded dragons have scent receptors within their mouths, helping them sense different smells in their surroundings. Like snakes, bearded dragons extend their tongues to capture scent particles from the air and stick them to the roof of their mouths.
Their tongues are specialized for finding mating partners and food or detecting threats in the surroundings. While nostrils detect scents and determine their location through movement, the tongue provides stereo smell, specifying the direction of something without requiring movement towards or away from it.
Conclusion
There are about eight species of bearded dragons, and they are characterized by their names. There’s always more to discover about these remarkable reptiles. The peculiar facts about bearded dragons discussed above enrich your knowledge about these fascinating creatures. From their ability to climb trees to the capability of smelling with their tongues, bearded dragons continue to intrigue pet owners, researchers, and enthusiasts alike.
FAQs
What are some fun facts about a bearded dragon?
1. Bearded dragons are native to Australia.
2. Bearded dragons can climb trees.
3. Bearded dragons can regrow their teeth.
4. Bearded dragons are omnivores.
5. Bearded dragons are cold-blooded.
6. Bearded dragons have three eyes.
7. Bearded dragons can change their sex.
8. Bearded dragons smell with their tongue.
Are bearded dragons omnivores?
Yes, bearded dragons are omnivores. They can consume various foods, including green vegetables, fruits, worms, and insects.
Can bearded dragons climb trees?
Yes, wild bearded dragons can climb trees, especially when food is scarce. They also climb trees to get sunlight.
Are bearded dragons cold-blooded?
Yes, bearded dragons are cold-blooded, as their body temperature depends on the environmental temperature. They bask in sunlight to regulate their body temperature.
Do bearded dragons have 3 eyes?
Yes, bearded dragons are three-eyed. They use their front two eyes to see images in their surroundings and the third eye(parietal eye) to sense shadow and change in light.