8 Species of Bearded Dragons Explained
There are eight species of bearded dragons recognized by scientists within the wild. All eight species belong to the Agamidae family, Pogona Genus and originate from Australia. These cousins share many of the same characteristics, while retaining subtle traits that make them equally unique. Let's have a look at each species and the traits that set them apart from each other.
Pogona vitticeps
Common Names: Central, Yellow-Headed, Inland Beardie
Distribution: Central Australia, Also found in most other states
Size: 2 feet in length
Characteristics/Facts: Largest of all species and the most common kept as pets. Selectively bred vitticeps can be found in a wide variety of colors ranging from white, orange, yellow and red.
Pogona henrylawsoni
Common Names: Pygmy, Black Soil, Lawson's, Rankin's Beardie
Distribution: Queensland, Northern Territory of Australia
Size: 13 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Named after the famous Aussie author and poet Henry Lawson. Light brown in color and have a much smaller beard than most of its relatives.
Pogona barbata
Common Names: Eastern, Common Beardie
Distribution: Eastern Australian Coast, south of the Cape York Peninsula
Size: 2 feet
Characteristics/Facts: This was the first species to be discovered by scientists in the late 1820's. Usually very dark grey/brown/black in color. Adults develop a light blue, green, or yellow hue on the front portion of their head. The Eastern dragon is hardier than the vitticeps, nut also more aggressive.
Pogona mitchelli
Common Names: Mitchell's, Northwest Beardie
Distribution: Northern Territory of Western Australia
Size: 8 inch max
Characteristics/Facts: Unique cone-shaped head spikes. They are found in the pet trade but in small numbers.
Pogona microlepidota
Common Names: Kimberly, Drysdale Beardie
Distribution: Northern Australia on the Kimberly Plateau exclusively
Size: 13 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Less noticeable scales and spikes than the other species with a diet consisting almost entirely of insects. Scientists often travel to the Drysdale area in an attempt to see one of these beardies in their natural environment.
Pogona nullarbor
Common Names: Nullabor, Banded Beardie
Disribution: Southern Australia
Size:12 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Prominent white bands across the back and tail. This rare species are found within a very small geographic location. This species is not currently found within the pet trade, but has been bred in captivity within Australia.
Pogona minima
Common Names: Western Beardie
Distribution: Western Australia
Size: 20 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Slim body with much longer tail and legs compared to other Pogona lizards.
Pogona minor
Common Names: Dwarf Beardie
Distribution: Western/Southwestern Australia
Size: 15 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Short limbs and a lack of spines along the spinal column.
Although only 8 species of bearded dragons have been identified, it is believed that there are still more to be discovered. With the increased interest in studying the Pogona, new information will be rapidly arising. This will help to further increase our understanding of these creatures and what they need to live happily in captivity.
Pogona vitticeps
Common Names: Central, Yellow-Headed, Inland Beardie
Distribution: Central Australia, Also found in most other states
Size: 2 feet in length
Characteristics/Facts: Largest of all species and the most common kept as pets. Selectively bred vitticeps can be found in a wide variety of colors ranging from white, orange, yellow and red.
Pogona henrylawsoni
Common Names: Pygmy, Black Soil, Lawson's, Rankin's Beardie
Distribution: Queensland, Northern Territory of Australia
Size: 13 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Named after the famous Aussie author and poet Henry Lawson. Light brown in color and have a much smaller beard than most of its relatives.
Pogona barbata
Common Names: Eastern, Common Beardie
Distribution: Eastern Australian Coast, south of the Cape York Peninsula
Size: 2 feet
Characteristics/Facts: This was the first species to be discovered by scientists in the late 1820's. Usually very dark grey/brown/black in color. Adults develop a light blue, green, or yellow hue on the front portion of their head. The Eastern dragon is hardier than the vitticeps, nut also more aggressive.
Pogona mitchelli
Common Names: Mitchell's, Northwest Beardie
Distribution: Northern Territory of Western Australia
Size: 8 inch max
Characteristics/Facts: Unique cone-shaped head spikes. They are found in the pet trade but in small numbers.
Pogona microlepidota
Common Names: Kimberly, Drysdale Beardie
Distribution: Northern Australia on the Kimberly Plateau exclusively
Size: 13 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Less noticeable scales and spikes than the other species with a diet consisting almost entirely of insects. Scientists often travel to the Drysdale area in an attempt to see one of these beardies in their natural environment.
Pogona nullarbor
Common Names: Nullabor, Banded Beardie
Disribution: Southern Australia
Size:12 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Prominent white bands across the back and tail. This rare species are found within a very small geographic location. This species is not currently found within the pet trade, but has been bred in captivity within Australia.
Pogona minima
Common Names: Western Beardie
Distribution: Western Australia
Size: 20 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Slim body with much longer tail and legs compared to other Pogona lizards.
Pogona minor
Common Names: Dwarf Beardie
Distribution: Western/Southwestern Australia
Size: 15 inches
Characteristics/Facts: Short limbs and a lack of spines along the spinal column.
Although only 8 species of bearded dragons have been identified, it is believed that there are still more to be discovered. With the increased interest in studying the Pogona, new information will be rapidly arising. This will help to further increase our understanding of these creatures and what they need to live happily in captivity.
