Bearded dragons are fascinating reptiles native to Australia, but they've also become popular pets in New Zealand and around the world.
Known for their distinctive appearance, curious personalities, and quirky behaviours, these lizards can make rewarding companions for reptile enthusiasts.
Thinking about welcoming a bearded dragon into your family? Here are some fun facts about these fascinating reptiles!
What's in a name?
Bearded dragons get their name from the spiny skin underneath their throats, which resembles a beard.
When they feel threatened, stressed, or excited, they can puff out their beards, making themselves appear larger and more intimidating.
Their beards may also darken to a deep black colour, creating an even more dramatic appearance.
This behaviour is often used as a defence mechanism, helping them communicate with potential predators or other bearded dragons.
A solitary creature
Unlike some other reptiles, bearded dragons are naturally solitary animals that generally prefer living alone.
In the wild, they typically come together to mate before going their separate ways.
Pet bearded dragons are usually best housed individually, as keeping multiple dragons together can lead to territorial disputes, stress, and even injury.
While they may enjoy interacting with their owners, they don't need another bearded dragon for companionship.
Life expectancy of a bearded dragon
Bearded dragons can be surprisingly long-lived pets!
In the wild, their lifespan is often shorter due to predators, environmental conditions, and other natural risks.
However, pet bearded dragons can commonly live for around 8–12 years, with some reaching 15 years or more when provided with appropriate care.
This makes them a long-term commitment, so it's important to be prepared for their ongoing housing, dietary, and veterinary needs.
Venomous creatures
Did you know that bearded dragons have venom-producing glands?
Research published in 2005 identified venom-related proteins in bearded dragons, although their venom is considered medically insignificant to humans.
Unlike venomous snakes, bearded dragons don't have specialised fangs for injecting venom.
Their bites can still be painful and may cause injury, so it's important to handle them gently and respect their boundaries.
Beardies can change colour
It's true! Bearded dragons can change colour, although not quite as dramatically as chameleons.
Their skin colour can shift depending on factors such as temperature, stress, and social interactions.
For example, a bearded dragon may darken its skin to absorb more heat when it's cold.
When they're warm, their skin may become lighter, helping reflect more sunlight.
Colour changes are just one of the many fascinating ways these reptiles respond to their surroundings.
They can run on two legs
Bearded dragons are surprisingly speedy little reptiles.
When running at high speeds, they may occasionally lift their front legs off the ground and run on their hind legs!
This behaviour is known as bipedal running.
Rather than being a deliberate way to cool themselves down, researchers believe this movement is largely associated with the mechanics of rapid acceleration.
It's certainly an unusual sight!
Some beardies enjoy water
While bearded dragons aren't aquatic reptiles, some may enjoy exploring shallow water or having a gentle soak.
However, not all bearded dragons enjoy water, and swimming or bathing shouldn't be considered an essential recreational activity.
If your bearded dragon needs a bath, use shallow, comfortably warm water and supervise them closely.
Never force your dragon to swim or leave them unattended in water.
Fresh drinking water should always be available, and proper hydration also depends on a suitable diet and environment.
A three-eyed reptile
Here's a fascinating fact: bearded dragons have a special light-sensitive organ on top of their heads, often referred to as a third eye or parietal eye.
Unlike their two regular eyes, the parietal eye doesn't form detailed images.
Instead, it detects changes in light and helps regulate biological processes, including daily activity rhythms.
It's also thought to help bearded dragons respond to changes in their environment, such as shadows passing overhead.
Pretty clever, right?
Head bobbers
Bearded dragons have some interesting ways of communicating with one another.
One of their most recognisable behaviours is head bobbing, which can be used during courtship, territorial displays, and other social interactions.
Males may perform rapid head bobs to assert dominance or attract a mate, while slower movements can communicate different messages.
Bearded dragons may also lift one of their front legs and move it in a circular waving motion.
This behaviour is often associated with submission or non-threatening social signals.
So, while it might look like your beardie is giving you a friendly wave, they're actually communicating in their own unique way!
Sun seekers
Bearded dragons are true sun lovers!
As ectothermic animals, they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature.
In the wild, they spend time basking in the sun to warm up before moving into cooler areas when needed.
Pet bearded dragons need a suitable basking area, along with appropriate heating and UVB lighting.
UVB light is especially important because it helps them produce vitamin D3, which supports calcium absorption and healthy bone development.
A consistent day-and-night lighting cycle is also essential, generally providing around 12–14 hours of light during the day.
However, this doesn't mean your bearded dragon needs to spend the entire day basking. They should always be able to move between warmer and cooler areas of their enclosure.
They need room to grow
Bearded dragons can grow much larger than you might expect!
Adult central bearded dragons commonly reach around 40–60 cm in length, including their tails.
While it's sometimes believed that bearded dragons will only grow as large as their enclosure allows, this isn't true.
A small enclosure won't safely limit their growth. Instead, unsuitable housing, poor nutrition, or incorrect heating and lighting can negatively affect their health and development.
That's why it's important to provide a spacious enclosure with suitable heating, UVB lighting, and enrichment as your dragon grows.
With the right setup and care, your bearded dragon will have plenty of room to thrive!
Discover more about caring for bearded dragons
From their impressive beards to their unusual ways of communicating, bearded dragons are full of surprises!
Thinking about welcoming one into your home? Explore Petstock's range of reptile supplies to find essential heating, lighting, enclosures, and other accessories to help create a comfortable home for your new companion.