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Learn With Cosmo - Toddler Learning & Kids Songs

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Learn about Bearded Dragons with Cosmo - Reptiles for Kids -  Learn with Cosmo - Learning for Kids

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About bearded dragons

The bearded dragon lives up to its name: Like a dragon, it's equipped with armor of spiny reptilian scales, which include a "beard" of spikes under its chin that puffs up depending on its mood. There are eight species species of bearded dragons recognized today, all of which are affectionately called "beardies."

Among the most popular pet reptiles, bearded dragons tend to be gentle, inquisitive, and active during the day. The central bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps, is the most common species to have as a pet.

Habitat

In the wild, bearded dragons' range extends across most of Australia. They typically prefer to stick to warm, arid areas: deserts, subtropical woodlands, savannas, and scrublands. In the 1960s, Australia banned the export of wild bearded dragons; however, they've been bred in the United States for decades for the pet trade, and they come in a variety of color "morphs" not commonly found in the wild.

A warm habitat is crucial for bearded dragons. They're cold-blooded and rely on external heat sources to raise their body temperature, which varies according to the temperature of their environment. They bask in the sun to warm themselves and can burrow underground to avoid extreme heat and predators.

They're semi-arboreal and often can be found on fence posts and tree branches.

Diet

Bearded dragons are not picky eaters. With their strong jaws, they can clench and crush hard-shelled insects like beetles. As omnivores, they'll also go for leaves, flowers, fruit, and the occasional small lizard or rodent.

Behavior

Known for being territorial, adult bearded dragons may display their aggression to defend their turf from other males, fight for food, or compete for a female. Some males may also attack females if they don't show submissive behavior.

The beard, which both males and females have, is an important way the lizards communicate. When threatened, a bearded dragon will open its mouth, raise its chin, and puff out its beard to make itself appear bigger. This display may also be accompanied by a hiss.

Bearded dragons also communicate by changing the color of their beards and bobbing their heads. A quick head bob may signal dominance, whereas a slow bob and an arm wave is a sign of submission.

With a change of seasons, some bearded dragons may go through brumation, a type of hibernation, in which they stop eating and only drink water sporadically. This dormant phase usually occurs in the fall or winter as the light changes and temperatures drop.

Courtship and breeding

To catch the attention of a female, a male bearded dragon embarks on a showy ritual of courtship, pounding his feet into the ground and waving his arms and bobbing his head. The male will pursue the female and bite the back of her neck when mating.

Female bearded dragons are believed to have the unusual capacity to store sperm, which enables some to lay two separate clutches of 11 to 30 eggs from a single mating.

The sex of bearded dragon embryos can be changed by the incubation temperature. If the temperature is unusually high while embryos with male chromosomes are developing, they will instead develop as females. Warmer temperatures during development also make bearded dragons slower learners.

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The bearded dragon lives up to its name: Like a dragon, it's equipped with armor of spiny reptilian scales, which include a "beard" of spikes under its chin that puffs up depending on its mood. There are eight species species of bearded dragons recognized today, all of which are affectionately called "beardies."

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Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptile pets in the world, but did you know that there is a lot about this lizard that most people don't know? Read on as a vet shares some fun facts about bearded dragons.

Bearded Dragons Make for Great Pets

Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptiles in the world, and for good reason. They're adorable!

They're also very easy to take care of-they don't need to be fed live food, they don't require a lot of space, and they can live happily in groups with other bearded dragons.

Bearded Dragons - 12 Fun Facts

Despite their popularity, there's a lot you may not know about bearded dragons. Here are some fun facts we've learned about bearded dragons over the years:

1. Bearded dragons are native to Australia.

2. Bearded dragons have been around since the time of dinosaurs!

3. The name "bearded dragon" comes from their beard-like spines on their chin. These spines are used as a defense mechanism-when threatened or attacked by predators, bearded dragons will puff up and display these spines to scare off potential attackers.

4. When bearded dragons are born, they're about the size of your pinky finger nail.

5. Bearded dragons are capable of swimming! They can hold their breath for up to two minutes at a time.

6. Bearded dragons have amazing vision and hearing-they can see in color, and can even see things that are moving behind them by using their "parietal eye" (a small gap in their skull).

7. Bearded dragons are omnivores-they eat both plants and meat! Their favorite foods include fruit (think apples), kale, collard greens, dandelions (yum!), carrots, cucumbers...and more!

8. Bearded dragons are very sociable creatures-they enjoy being around other bearded dragons and will often live together in groups.

9. Bearded dragons are one of only two species of lizards that can actually change color! -Bearded dragons are a perfect pet for kids! They're fun, friendly and easy to care for.

10. Bearded dragons are very social-they enjoy spending time with their human friends. Bearded dragons have a very special relationship with their owners. They are often affectionate and will often nuzzle into the hand of the person who cares for them.

11. Bearded dragons are omnivores-they eat both plants and meat! Their favorite foods include fruit (think apples), kale, collard greens, dandelions (yum!), carrots, cucumbers...and more!

12. Bearded dragons are one of only two species of lizards that can actually change color!

If you have more questions or wish to schedule your "dragon" for a checkup, call our office anytime!

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Bearded dragons are one of the most popular reptile pets in the world, but did you know that there is a lot about this lizard that most people don't kn ...

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Studio K Safari: Bearded Dragon | CBC Kids

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Bearded Dragon Fun Facts: 29 Cool Things You Probably Didn’t Know abou

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Cool, surprising, terrifying, or just plain freaky, here are 29 things you probably didn’t know about bearded dragons—or maybe you did. Get ready to find out!