Australian Bearded Dragon
(Pegona vitticeps)

Bearded Dragons are agamid lizards belonging to the genus Pegona.  There are six to seven species of which the most common available outside Australia is the P. vitticeps, the Inland or Central Bearded Dragon.  They derived their name from the way they can enlarge or 'blow out' a flap of skin under their lower jaw when upset or disturbed.  Aside from blowing their beard out, they may also darken the color of the beard to almost black (this is commonly seen in males during breeding season,) and change their body color to various hues ranging from white to yellow, brown, grey, or red.  The Bearded Dragon is native to many different habitats and regions of Australia.  They live in deserts, grasslands and woodlands.  Bearded Dragons are omnivores (eating insects and veggies.)  Their temperaments are extremely docile and trusting, even in wild specimens.  The adults can reach up to approximately 2 ft. in length, with the average being 18-20 inches.  Bearded dragons reach reproductive age at one to two years of age.  Males generally are larger.  Older females may lay up to sixteen eggs in the early summer, in shallow "nests" dug in the sandy soil.  Eggs should be incubated at 84 degrees, with a hatch date between 64-67 days.  Most eggs hatch over a 1 to 2 day period but some can hatch 4 or 5 days later.  Exposure to temperatures over 90 degrees can possibly kill developing embryos.  Juveniles may weigh as little as 2.1 grams at hatching and be approximately 3 to 4 inches in length (head to tail,) but should be  5 inches at the end of their first month.  By the end of their second month, they should be at least 6 inches in length with considerable more body weight.  Baby Bearded Dragons can reach 9 inches within 2 months, with the average being 7 or 8 inches.  From 2-6 months the average growth rate is approximately 1/2 inch a week.  Bearded Dragons have been known to live 10 years in captivity.