Breaded dragon

The bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is a lizard in the Agamidae family. It gets its name from its distinctive neck pouch, which inflates, turning dark in times of danger or mating display. Its coloration is dominated by yellowish, gray, or brown tones. The color can change depending on the temperature and the animal's condition. Adults have virtually no markings, while juveniles have spots and stripes on their back and sides that form regular geometric patterns.An adult can reach 50-60 centimeters in length. Its body is flattened and elliptical, with a tail one and a half times longer than its body. The unusual structure of its scales gives the bearded dragon an exotic and predatory appearance. The scales, which resemble spiny spines, are arranged in rows across the lizard's body, primarily on the sides, thereby increasing its apparent size. Its triangular head is framed by spines, with auditory openings on the sides. When threatened, the lizard flattens its body, inflates its "beard," and opens its mouth—this behavior visually increases its size and deters enemies.Habitat edit Australian semi-deserts, sparse forests, and rocky terrain. Inland areas: Queensland, New South Wales, northwest Victoria, the eastern half of South Australia, and the southeast of the Northern Territory; nowhere does it reach the coast.Diet edit The bearded dragon is primarily a predatory animal, feeding on insects. As a young lizard, its diet consists of 30% plant matter and 70% animal matter. As the dragon matures, its diet gradually reverses to 30% animal matter and 70% plant matter. Since bearded dragons of this species primarily live in arid environments, they obtain moisture through their food and from dew. During rainfall, bearded dragons also bend their bodies forward and drink the dripping water.