Order: Squamata
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Pogona
Species: vitticeps

Range & Habitat
Occupies a large range of habitats from the desert to dry forests and scrublands of Eastern and Central Australia.

Reproduction & Growth
They reach sexual maturity at one to two years of age. Mating occurs in the Australian spring and summer months of September to March. Females dig a burrow and lay up to 24 eggs per clutch, and up to nine clutches per year. Females have also been known to store sperm and are able to lay many clutches of fertile eggs from one mating. Captive incubation time is about 60 days.

Diet - Omnivores
In the Wild: Large quantities of plant matter, insects and the occasional small rodent or lizard

In the Zoo: Mealworms, kale and lettuce

General Information
Bearded dragons have the ability to puff out the skin on the underside of the throat, creating a beard-like display. They can grow to be 15-19 inches long and have claws well suited for climbing and digging deep burrows to lay dime-sized eggs. The spikes on the sides of their head and body make them look bigger than they really are. Those sharp looking spikes actually feel like hard scales. Bearded dragons have a long and sticky tongue that aids in feeding. Male dragons usually practice the beard display in breeding season; however, they'll also use it to make them look bigger to ward off enemies. Captive longevity is usually 7-10 years.

In the Zoo
Currently we have one female Bearded Dragon at the zoo.

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