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Scaly Secrets: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Bearded Dragons
# 1 – Bearded Dragons Are Native To Australia
Bearded Dragons are native to central and eastern Australia! They inhabit deserts, grasslands, savannas, woodlands, and scrublands. They thrive in hot and dry conditions and are often found basking in the sun on rocks and logs.
#2 – Bearded Dragons Can Swim
Bearded Dragons can puff up their little bodies like a balloon to float. They use their limbs to paddle and their tails act as a propeller. They aren’t naturally inclined to do so but some actually enjoy it. However, they should not be placed in deep water because they do have a risk of drowning. They are not considered good swimmers but they can if necessary.
#3 – Bearded Dragons Can Regrow Teeth
Bearded Dragons can regrow their front teeth, which are classified as pleurodont teeth. Their rear and side teeth are called acrodonts and are permanent and will not regrow. They have bands of tissue called dental laminas which play a crucial role in the regrowth process.
#4 – Bearded Dragons Are Venomous
Bearded Dragons possess a mild venom but don’t worry it isn’t dangerous to humans. They have primitive venom glands that produce a venom that is similar in structure to that of a rattlesnakes. This helps them subdue small prey animals when hunting.
#5 – Bearded Dragons Cannot Eat Lightning Bugs
Lightning Bugs contain a toxin called “Lucibufagins” which can damge the heart muscles of a bearded dragon and cause death. Signs of ingestion include oral gaping, retching, head shaking, vomiting, dyspnea, and color changes.
#6 – Bearded Dragons Don’t Have A Diaphragm
Bearded Dragons do not have a diaphragm, like all reptiles. They have intercostal muscles, muscles located between the ribs, that expand and contract for them to breathe. They also do something called “buccal pumping” where they use their throat muscles to gulp air.
#7 – Bearded Dragons Have A Third Eye
Bearded Dragons actually have a third eye located on the top of their head between their two eyes. This eye is called a parietal eye and though it cannot form images, it can sense light and shadows. This helps keep them safe and detect predators and other threats from above.
#8 – Bearded Dragons Are Solitary Animals
Bearded Dragons are considered solitary animals. It is best to keep them alone because they can become territorial and aggressive with other dragons. Particularly males. They lack the ability to form social bonds and experience loneliness like their fellow mammals. As long as their needs are met then they are perfectly content. Their basic needs include a large enclosure, heat, UVB lighting, substrate, decorations for basking and hiding, and food and water.
#9 – Bearded Dragons Are Omnivores
Bearded Dragons are omnivores meaning they eat both plants and animals. Animals include crickets, mealworms, dubia roaches, superworms, silkworms, hornworms, and occasionally small lizards or rodents. However, they should not eat rodents on a regular basis as it could be harmful to their health. Plant include kale, parsley, cucumber, yams, celery, pumpkin, okra, bell peppers, apples, plums, peaches, tomatoes, cranberries, and numerous others.
#10 – Bearded Dragons Can Run on Two Legs
Bearded Dragons can run on two legs! They are most commonly seen moving on all four legs. However, when they need to move quickly they will do so on their hind legs. This is called a bipedal movement and is most often done when startled, chasing prey, or escaping predators.
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