Seven species of dragon lizard occur in habitats around Winton, Australia. Frequently visible, they are usually seen perched on elevated positions such as fence-posts, tree-stumps, rocks or even termite mounds.
The Western Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps or Amphibolurus vitticeps) originates in Australia and at 60 cm long, it is the largest species. Found only on reddish soils, they live in arid, rocky, semi-desert regions and arid open woodlands. Australian sands are usually mixed with dirt and compacted into a desert pavement, rather than a Saharan type of desert.They get most of their water from what they eat. They lap the water from their faces, or occasionally from each other.
Australian Bearded Dragons inherit their name because of their throat pouches which puff out to exhibit prominent spiky scales. This "beard" can change colour to an impressive jet black. Both males and females show off their beards. Bearded dragons are cold blooded and have sharp claws.
Those in captivity are predominantly Pogona vitticeps. They breed in captivity, the eggs hatch well with proper incubation. They display an astonishing growth rate, averaging 9.5 cm in length upon hatching, they nearly double in length and bulk by the end of their second month. They rapidly, attain an adult length of 40 - 60 cm, including tail, within a year. Older dragons are more robust and hardier. Adult dragons often appear lethargic when shedding their skins, but juvenile appetites are not slowed even by skin loss. The skin will shed in large patches. Letting them soak in shallow warm 98 degree water or misting them helps shedding.
Dragons are omnivores, voraciously eating both insects and vegetables. They extract food by flicking out their tongue, which has a sticky bulb at the tip. Crickets are their main insect food at all ages. Other insects such as mealworms, superworms add variety for larger dragons. If they have cage-mates and aren't being feed enough, they will soon nibble toes and tail-tips for sustenance.
Social animals, with a rich body language of gestures, they bob their heads at one another, gape their mouths, flatten their bodies and tilt as they circle around one another, they swish their tails and use their tongues to check each other or their environment out. They display a variety of submissive gestures, both sexes will raise one arm and hold it stationary or slowly wave it in circles, to signal wanting to be left alone.
Bearded Dragons establish hierarchies and will adapt to their caretakers, extreme aggressive gestures become rare in captivity unless given new territory to conquer. They are curious and enjoy being exploring. With a mellow interactive nature they seem to communicate with humans in broad terms. Piercing stares seem to indicate a request for food.
Although they interact, they only show their complete social repertoire to other dragons as they maintain a dominance hierarchy. Lizard stacks are an intriguing group behaviour as they pile up on one another beneath their basking light and during mating displays. If two dragons are together and one stops eating, it is likely due to intimidation and will require individual feeding. Aggressive interactions can lead to the need for separate quarters for individual dragons. Housing dragons together of dramatically different size can lead to one eating the other.
Body proportions differ, males tend to have a larger head to body ratio, while females are often smaller overall, having a large body with a medium head. Dragons become sexually mature at eight months, have active courtship rituals and reproduce very well in captivity. Females will bury up to two dozen eggs, and will threaten with gaping mouth if you try to disturb their eggs. After hatching the mother offers no parental care.
Pogona Henrylawsoni, a smaller, almost beardless cousin of the Bearded Dragon, appears to be restricted to the black soil plains. It is reasonably common, but not easily spotted. It will drop from its perch and retreat into one of the many wide soil cracks when approached too closely.
Central Netted Dragon (Ctenophorus nuchalis) is plumpish and often colourful. It is at home on sandy or gravelly ground and often excavates its burrows at the bases of shrubs or porcupine grass clumps. It can also be seen warming itself on bitumen roads in the morning and is active throughout the whole day.
Gilbert's Dragon (Lophognathus gilberti) is a handsome, tree-dwelling species living along intermittent or permanent watercourses. Of the ear less Dragons, the smallest dragons in the Winton area, one species stands out from the bunch. This is the Long-tailed Dragon (Tympanocryptis tetraporophora) of the Mitchell Grass plains. This little lizard is mostly observed on grass clumps, but also 'stands guard' on rocks next to roads. It stands upright on the heels of its hind feet, supported by its arched tall.
Resources : "The General Care and Maintenance of Bearded Dragons" 1993 by Philippe de Vosjoli and Ropert Mailloux or "The Bearded Dragon: An Owners Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet" by Steve Grenard. The internet hosts care sheets by Mellisa Kaplan, Roderick Mitchell and Peter Weis. Vivarium magazine volume 7 #6 features a bearded dragon special, with articles on care and on different colour morphs.
Another living dragon found in Australia is the Australian dragonfly, the fastest flying insect, verified at 55 miles per hour.
