Pogona minor

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Western bearded dragon

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Agamidae
Genus:	Pogona
Species:	P. minor

Binomial name

Pogona minor

Subspecies

Pogona minor minor
Pogona minor minima

Pogona minor is a species of Bearded Dragons found on the southwest coast and interior of Western Australia. This taxonomic name includes the widespread type known as Western bearded dragon, Pogona minor minor, and the subspecies, Pogona minor minima, confined to the Wallabi Group of islands which is known as the Abroholos Bearded Dragon.^[1]

1 Description
2 References
3 See also
4 Further reading
5 External links

[edit] Description

Pogona minor minor are large lizards, 38 cm in length (15 cm from snout to vent), P. minor minima is slightly smaller. All Bearded dragons have a chameleon-like colour, either blending into their environment or presenting a brighter display during interaction with others. It is similar in appearance to Pogona nullarbor and the Mulga Dragon, but is distinguished by a smaller head size, and the arrangement of spines on the underside and neck. The Western bearded dragon is widespread in Southwest Australia and central deserts, the range includes semiarid regions such as woodland or heathland, and arid desert or coastal dunes. This subspecies also occurs on Dirk Hartog Island. Pogona minor minima is found on West, North, and East Wallabi Islands, Houtman Abrolhos.^[1]^[2]

These dragons display a behaviour common to other Pogona species, the dragon will wave its hand to trigger a response from a potential predator. Another typical behaviour of is that of 'head-bobbing' amongst males, perhaps related to dominance within their social order. It is often seen basking on fence posts.^[1]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c Browne-Cooper, Robert; Brian Bush, Brad Maryan, David Robinson (2007). Reptiles and Frogs in the Bush: Southwestern Australia. University of Western Australia Press, p. 160. ISBN 9778 1 920694 74 6. “Pogona minor minor, Abrolhos Bearded Dragon”
^ Pogona minor minima (Abrolhos Bearded Dragon). Specimen collections. Western Australian Museum (2003). “represented by 94 specimen records in museum collection. North, East Wallabi and West Wallabi Islands”