Australia’s outback is home to eight distinct types of bearded dragons, but strict laws against collecting wildlife have made only a few of these species available through the pet trade. The Pogona vitticeps, P. henrilawsoni, and P. barbata are currently bred and sold in high numbers across North America and Europe. In this article, we’ll examine each of these species more closely.
Pogona vitticeps, also known as the Central or Inland Bearded Dragon (Ahl, 1926), is the most commonly found type of bearded dragon in pet stores and breeding facilities. These dragons are found throughout Central Australia and come in a range of colors, from brown and grey to reds, oranges, whites, and yellows. They are the largest of all the species, with adults growing up to 2 feet in length. Selective breeding in Germany has led to the creation of an even larger version of this species, dubbed the German Giant.
Pogona henrylawsoni, also known as the Black Soil Bearded Dragon (Wells and Wellington, 1985), is an attractive species named after the famous Australian author and poet Henry Lawson. They are also known as Rankin’s bearded dragon or P. brevis. These dragons are the second most popular species kept as pets and are mostly found in Queensland and the Northern Territory. They have a sand or khaki-like color and no beard. As captive breeding rates increase, this dragon is becoming more popular in the pet trade.
Pogona barbata, also known as the Eastern or Common Bearded Dragon (Cuvier, 1829), is most commonly found in the wooded areas of Eastern Australia, south of the Cape York Peninsula. They were the first species of bearded dragon discovered and resemble a smaller version of the central dragon. They are generally more aggressive than other species and are dark grey-black in color, with some individuals being yellowish-brown, reddish-brown, or dark brown. Baby eastern dragons are lighter in color than adults and lose their patterns as they mature. Adult males have a dark grey to black „beard” and may develop a pale yellow, blue, or green tinge on the forepart of their head as they mature.
Types of Bearded Dragons A Look at Pogona Species Found Within the Pet Trade 