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What Are the Characteristics of Bearded Dragons in the Wild?

Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee

Bearded dragons in the wild are generally found in the Australian outback, where they are considered a native species. During their three-to-five-year lifespan in the wild, these reptiles sleep at night and spend most of their daylight hours warming themselves in the sun. They typically reach their adult length of 24 inches (61 centimeters) at about 18 months of age. Bearded dragons in the wild usually come together in small groups to mate during the spring, after which they typically go their separate ways, with the female abandoning her eggs once she has laid them. Other than during this mating gathering period, bearded dragons are known for fiercely guarding their own territories.

There are several species of bearded dragons, all from the genus pogona. These lizards are normally brown or yellowish, though they have been known to develop red and orange hues. They may be black if they are ill. The bearded dragon has been observed to be capable of slight changes in color, as they may make themselves somewhat darker or somewhat lighter. Bearded dragons in the wild may change their colors to help cool or warm themselves, to show submission to another of the species, or to express desire to mate.

Bearded dragons in the wild feed on insects, plants, and small reptiles.
Bearded dragons in the wild feed on insects, plants, and small reptiles.

Bearded dragons in the wild typically feed on plants, insects, spiders, smaller reptiles, and small mammals. These reptiles are cold blooded, and much of their behavior in the wild is related to regulating body temperature. They can often be seen sunning themselves during the day, but they may retreat into the shade or burrow underground if they feel overheated.

Bearded dragons have the ability to puff out and darken their beards at will.
Bearded dragons have the ability to puff out and darken their beards at will.

Bearded dragons may also ride out cold temperatures by burrowing under the ground. They have been known to undergo a hibernation-like state known as brumation during the winter months. Brumation can manifest itself in a variety of ways. Some specimens may simply become lethargic for a period of weeks or months. Others may stop eating and begin sleeping more than usual, and still others may sleep without waking for the entire brumation period.

These lizards will typically run on their hind legs to escape predators and threats. They are believed to run much more slowly on only two legs, but experts believe that this means of regulating speed also helps to regulate the reptile's body temperature, allowing it to run further before it becomes obliged to stop and cool itself. Bearded dragons in the wild may also attempt to protect themselves by inflating their spiky beards to make themselves look larger and more threatening.

Body language is considered an important means of communication for bearded dragons in the wild. These lizards are known to expand their beards and nod their heads to show dominance over an territorial intruder. They may wave their front legs to show submissiveness or a desire to mate. Conflicts between bearded dragons in the wild are generally resolved without serious harm to either lizard.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural habitat of wild bearded dragons?

Wild bearded dragons are native to the arid, rocky, semi-desert regions and dry open woodlands of central and eastern Australia. They thrive in these environments due to their ability to regulate body temperature and their versatile diet, which allows them to adapt to the harsh conditions of the Australian outback.

How do bearded dragons thermoregulate in the wild?

Bearded dragons are ectothermic, relying on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. In the wild, they bask in the sun to warm up and retreat to cooler shaded areas or burrows to avoid overheating. This behavior is crucial for their digestion and overall physiological functioning.

What do bearded dragons eat in their natural habitat?

In the wild, bearded dragons are omnivorous, consuming a varied diet that includes insects, small rodents, lizards, and plant matter such as leaves, flowers, and fruit. Their opportunistic feeding habits allow them to survive in environments where food sources can be scarce or unpredictable.

How do bearded dragons communicate with each other in the wild?

Bearded dragons have a range of communication methods, including body language, head bobbing, arm waving, and displaying their namesake 'beard'. The beard, which can turn black, is often used to show dominance or aggression, while head bobbing can signify mating behavior or territoriality among males.

What are the distinctive physical characteristics of bearded dragons?

Bearded dragons are known for their triangular heads, spiny scales along their sides, and the 'beard' under their throat, which can puff up and darken when threatened or during courtship displays. They typically grow to about 18-24 inches in length and have a flattened body appearance, which helps in heat absorption when basking.

How do bearded dragons reproduce in the wild?

Bearded dragons are oviparous, meaning they lay eggs. Mating typically occurs in the Australian spring and summer. Females will lay clutches of 11-30 eggs in a burrow, which they excavate themselves. The eggs incubate for around 60-80 days, with hatchlings being fully independent from birth, ready to fend for themselves.

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    • Bearded dragons in the wild feed on insects, plants, and small reptiles.
      By: Jacqui Jones
      Bearded dragons in the wild feed on insects, plants, and small reptiles.
    • Bearded dragons have the ability to puff out and darken their beards at will.
      Bearded dragons have the ability to puff out and darken their beards at will.