Even less may be known about Australia's herpetofauna than its mammalian wildlife. In 1963, the definitive book on Australia's reptiles was written by Eric Worrell. At that time, herpetoculture was barely beginning, and very few researchers, Australian or otherwise, were studying this sector of Australian wildlife. Coinciding with the growing interest in herpetoculture and herpetology came the Australian government's clamping down on the collection, keeping, and exporting of native wildlife, thus successfully quashing animals available not only to collectors and breeders outside of Australia, but to researchers in country as well. Since that time, things have changed, at least in terms of the interest in the herpetofauna by Australian and other researchers.
Bearded dragons live in the arid, rocky, semi-desert regions and arid open woodlands.
They are adept climbers, spending time on branches and in bushes, even found on fence posts when living near human habitation. They also bask on rocks and exposed branches in the mornings and afternoons. These diurnal lizards are omnivores, voracious eaters of invertebrates and small vertebrates alike. They also forage for soft plant matter, including greens, fruits, and flowers. Like most desert dwellers, beardeds spend the hottest part of the day in underground burrows and are well adapted to the cool desert nights.