Eastern Bearded Dragon

The eastern bearded dragon ***(Pogona barbata)*** also known as the eastern bearded agama or simply the 'beardie', is a relatively small species of agama lizard that lives on mainland Australia as well as Kangaroo Island. eastern bearded dragons differ in appearance when compared to their central counterparts, instead of having warm reds and oranges that pattern their bodies, they have dull coloured scales often being pale greys or browns but as they get agitated their scales transition to a deeper grey or black. Eastern bearded dragons also have a sickeningly yellow mouth compared to the reddish pink mouths of other bearded dragon subspecies. A row of spikes can be seen running down the reptile's side and forearm, this is a characteristic appearance exclusive to eastern bearded dragons. The function of the bearded dragon's gullet, better known as a beard is to make itself seem larger in size than it actually is, frilling it out to seem intimidating. Bearded dragons will also turn the scales and spikes on their beards black, to further intimidate their target. eastern bearded dragons also have a striking yellow mouth, which is another way to differentiate them from other bearded dragon subspecies. The yellow interior of their mouths acts as another intimidation technique, often the lizard will flash the inside of its mouth and spread its beard at the same time, creating a very threatening display. Eastern bearded dragons are also armoured with many small spikes, these spikes are not actually sharp, instead having a rubbery texture and are just used to make the animal look less edible to oncoming predators. Eastern bearded dragons can grow up to be 55cm (22in) in length from head to tail and weigh 380g-510g (13.4oz-17.9oz).

### Diet

Eastern bearded dragons consume insects, but have also been known to prey upon smaller reptiles as well as mice and unattended bird eggs in the wild. In captivity their diets are more often supplemented with greens such as grasses or leafy vegetation. Bearded dragons are a common pet worldwide and in these environments, are often fed fruits as well as calcium supplements in order to strengthen their bones and claws.

### Conservation Status

Eastern bearded dragons are listed as least concern by the IUCN, meaning that humans pose little to no threat towards eastern bearded dragons, and their is no need for the animal to become a breeding priority. Due to their relevance in captivity and pet businesses, eastern bearded dragons are most likely going to remain least concern for many years to come.

### Range and Population

    Eastern bearded dragons unlike their desert-dwelling relatives the central bearded dragon ***(Pogona vitticeps)*** and the Western bearded dragon ***(Pogona minor)***, live in more wooded environments like shrublands and forests. Living in the wetter and colder Eastern regions of Australia from Victoria to Southern Queensland, eastern bearded dragons tend to differ in appearance to their relatives, and have evolved a more aggressive attitude compared to them. The exact population of the eastern bearded dragon is unknown but stable due to their domestication as pets.

### Behaviour

Eastern bearded dragons are often more aggressive than other subspecies and will hiss, snarl and frill out their beard more often than other subspecies of bearded dragon. Eastern bearded dragons are also kept less often as pets due to their short-temper, and territorial nature. Similarly to other Agamids such as the thorny devil ***(Moloch horridus)***, bearded dragons will angle their back towards predators when threatened, puffing up to seem larger and more intimidating.

### Relationship with Humans

Overall despite being more aggressive than other species of bearded dragons, Eastern bearded dragons are still kept as pets and exhibit more docile behaviour towards humans in captivity, being much less short-tempered and skittish. Humans will often be able to handle captive individuals of every bearded dragon species with no issues however, wild eastern bearded dragons will often bite and or scratch human pursuing them, as they see them as immediate threats.

### In Captivity

Eastern bearded dragons are kept as pets less often than other bearded dragon subspecies as mentioned before, and are also less common in captivity being substituted for the docile central bearded dragon. The Australian Reptile Park does own eastern bearded dragons as well as the famous Australia Zoo. Both of these zoos are famous for their reptiles.

### Sources

* IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/170419/83493237
* Australian Reptile Park | eastern Bearded Dragon - https://www.reptilepark.com.au/eastern-bearded-dragon/#:~:text=If%20picked%20up%2C%20they%20will,dragon%20is%20an%20impressive%20animal.
* Australia Zoo | eastern Bearded Dragon - https://www.australiazoo.com.au/wildlife/our-animals/bearded-dragon/
* eastern Bearded Dragon | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern\_bearded\_dragon