Pogona minor

Pogona minor minima

The Western bearded dragon or Dwarf Bearded Dragon (Pogona minor) is a lizard of the genus Bearded Dragons ( Pogona ). Its scientific name refers to the compared to other bearded dragons rather small overall body length out (Latin minor = " small ").

Features

Pogona minor reaches a total length of about 375 mm, which is composed of a body length of 149 mm and a tail length of 229 mm. Externally it is very similar to Pogona barbata. Instead of a beard, it has only small sting shed in the throat region, which can not be set up. Other small spines are located on the head. The ear openings are triangular, also the body is flattened dorsoventrally. The bearded dragon is gray - brown with lighter several large patches. The throat is dark gray to black, the underside of the body is white - grayish. Frequently P. minor has a diamond- like drawing; here are interspersed with finer scales enlarged keeled scales. The tail is rather inconspicuously banded. Above the shoulder, all young animals but also many adult specimens a dark spot on. On the sides of a regular series of spiked scales can be seen. The color of the oral mucosa varies: tomboys have a yellow, bred a pink oral mucosa. In addition, there are regional differences: In order Gerealton Mullewa and the animals have relatively long snouts and tails. In addition, the males to the sides of the head are yellowish. In the vicinity of Norseman compact built animals are common with wider heads and strong Kopfbestachelung.

Distribution and habitat

The Western Bearded Dragon is widespread and colonized almost the entire south-western Australia. The distribution area extends north to the southern Pilbara, Little Sandy Desert and Gibson Desert. In addition, the islands Barrow, Salutation and Dirk Hartog are inhabited. P. minor lives in warm, open landscapes. The species inhabits coastal areas preferred dunes, inland it is found in steppes, savannas and scrub or dry forests. Also in eucalyptus stands on the roadside some specimens were observed. The person sitting in the branches animals settled here only the immediate risk fall to run away. On the island of Barrow the species inhabits also the vegetation, especially the Triodia - tuft of grass.

Way of life

The Western Bearded Dragon eats mostly crickets and grasshoppers ( 29.9 %), beetles (17.3%), termites ( 11.7%), insect larvae (8.1%) and plant material ( 19.3 %).

Sexual maturity in females occurs at a body length of about 90 mm. In the field, pregnant females from mid-July are observed up to the end of December. In the northern part of the range, the eggs are laid in July, August or September, while those in the southern part takes place only during the period from October to December. The making up approximately 19.5 % of the mass of the female nest contains an average of 7.6 eggs, with the size from two to 19 eggs may vary. Two to four such clutches produced per season. The 20-25 mm long, 12-14 mm wide and 1.85 to 1.86 g heavy eggs are deposited in a deep hole in the ground up to 25cm, which is again completely closed after oviposition.