Eastern bearded dragon
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| Eastern bearded dragon | |
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| The eastern bearded dragon, Pogona barbata | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Lacertilia |
| Family: | Agamidae |
| Genus: | Pogona |
| Species: | P. barbata |
| Binomial name | |
| Pogona barbata Cuvier, 1829 |
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The eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) is an agamid lizard found in wooded parts of Australia.[1] It is one of a group of species known commonly as bearded dragons. Other common names for this species include Jew lizard and frilly lizard, the latter being a confusion between this and another dragon; the frill-necked lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii).
It is most common in eastern Australia south of Cape York Peninsula, but specimens have been collected from Cape York, through central Australia, and even from the west coast of Australia. It is a large species of grey-black colour distinguished from its relative, the central bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps, by its less robust body and the row of spines along the lateral edge of the body, which continues over the forearm (Cogger, 1992). It tends to be more cryptic in its behaviour than the central bearded dragon, and performs its bearded display more often. It has an adult snout-tail length of about 24 inches (60 cm). When threatened, in addition to its beard display, it gapes to display the bright yellow colour of the inside of its mouth. It eats small lizards and snakes, flowers, insects, fruits, and berries.
This species was previously known as Amphibolurus barbatus.[2]
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[edit] Physical description
The eastern bearded dragon resembles its close relative, the smaller central bearded dragon. It is usually grey-black in skin colour and is sometimes reddish-brown, yellowish-brown, or dark brown. Juveniles are paler in colour than the adults and have patterns that fade as they mature. As it matures, it develops a subtle pale yellow, blue, or green tinge on the forepart of its head. The adult males can grow up to about 24 inches (60 cm), and females up to 20 inches (50 cm). The adult males have a dark grey to black "beard".
P. barbata retains venom glands on both the upper and lower jaws. (Fry et al. 2006)
[edit] Behavior
Eastern bearded dragons are diurnal. They are semiarboreal and perch on exposed places such as tree branches or logs, retreating to lower and cooler places when too hot. They are more aggressive than the central bearded dragon, demand more space and are less docile. The males are territorial and permit only females and juveniles in their territory. Dominant males are usually the biggest dragons and get the highest perches.
[edit] Diet
The eastern bearded dragon feeds on a variety of small vertebrates and invertebrates, including crickets, small grasshoppers, worms, beetles, katydids, mice, and reptiles. In captivity, it also eats clover and dandelion flowers.
[edit] See also
[edit] Footnotes
[edit] References
- Chris T. McAllister, Steve J. Upton, Elliott R. Jacobson and Wayne Kopit (1995-04). "A Description of Isospora amphiboluri (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the Inland Bearded Dragon, Pogona vitticeps (Sauria: Agamidae)". The Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 81, No. 2 (The American Society of Parasitologists) 81 (2). JSTOR 3283934.
- Fry, Brian G., et al. (2006). "Early evolution of the venom system in lizards and snakes." Nature. Letters. Vol. 439/2 February 2006. Pdf file available for download at: [1]
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Pogona barbata |
