Bearded Dragons and Stumpytail lizards
It’s always exciting when Spring rolls around and the lizards wake up from their brumation (It really is a word. It means a period of low activity for reptiles, a bit like hibernation for mammals but it’s slowing down, rather than sleeping.
A typical Spring day often yields both Stumpytails and Bearded Dragons. This Dragon was reclining gracefully on a bush.
Spot the Bearded Dragon
Stumpytails
Stumpytails, Sleepy Lizards, Shinglebacks or Bobtails (Tiliqua rugosa) are such interesting lizards. They give birth to live young (viviparous). The eggs hatch inside the female's body! They also form long-term bonds with their mates. An amazing long-term study of the life of these lizards is here.
The color variation is also intriguing - from pure black to cream and light tan bands. Why?
There’s also great color variation in the Bearded Dragons.
How to tell the Bearded Dragons apart
A tip to distinguish between the two species of Bearded Dragon in Victoria:
Central Bearded Dragons (Pogona vitticeps) have a straight line of spines on the back of the head.
Eastern Bearded Dragons (P. barbata) have a semi-circular row of spines on the back of the head. It would be unusual to have Easterns this far north, but you never know…
Central Bearded Dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is distinguished by the straight row of uninterrupted spines across the back of the head.
Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata) has almost semicircular curve of spines on the back of the head. This guy was photographed in Wycheproof.
An Eastern Bearded Dragon, showing off his impressive beard.
First published September 20, 2020. Updated 2021