
Moreover, they cannot run away from aggressive co-species in captivity unlike in the wild. However, it is best not to keep more than a male in the same enclosure because they can become aggressive to each other. Jones armadillo lizards are social species in the wild. Furthermore, you can use a 20-gallon tank if your lizard is more than one. You can keep a mixed-sex pair or trio in an enclosure with 2-4 square feet of space. You can keep a single Jones armadillo lizard in a 10-gallon tank. Jones armadillo lizards do not need a gigantic cage because they are a small-sized lizard and can only grow to around 6 inches in length. However, they later gained their own species status and are known as Cordylus jonesii.Īlthough jones armadillo lizards are not a popular reptile kept as a pet, they are a perfect reptile for beginner hobbyists. They were once a subspecies of dwarf Girdled armadillo lizard (Cordylus tropidosternum).

Jones Armadillo lizards are also known as Limpopo girdled lizards as they were first discovered in a national park in Limpopo, Mozambique. Warmer temperatures during development also make bearded dragons slower learners.Cute Reptiles as Pets What Is A Jones Armadillo Lizard? Jones Armadillo Lizard (Image credit: aminoapps) If the temperature is unusually high while embryos with male chromosomes are developing, they will instead develop as females. The sex of bearded dragon embryos can be changed by the incubation temperature. The male will pursue the female and bite the back of her neck when mating.įemale bearded dragons are believed to have the unusual capacity to store sperm, which enables some to lay two separate clutches of 11 to 30 eggs from a single mating. To catch the attention of a female, a male bearded dragon embarks on a showy ritual of courtship, pounding his feet into the ground and waving his arms and bobbing his head. This dormant phase usually occurs in the fall or winter as the light changes and temperatures drop. With a change of seasons, some bearded dragons may go through brumation, a type of hibernation, in which they stop eating and only drink water sporadically. A quick head bob may signal dominance, whereas a slow bob and an arm wave is a sign of submission. This display may also be accompanied by a hiss.īearded dragons also communicate by changing the color of their beards and bobbing their heads. When threatened, a bearded dragon will open its mouth, raise its chin, and puff out its beard to make itself appear bigger. The beard, which both males and females have, is an important way the lizards communicate. Some males may also attack females if they don’t show submissive behavior. Known for being territorial, adult bearded dragons may display their aggression to defend their turf from other males, fight for food, or compete for a female. As omnivores, they’ll also go for leaves, flowers, fruit, and the occasional small lizard or rodent.

With their strong jaws, they can clench and crush hard-shelled insects like beetles. Dietīearded dragons are not picky eaters. They’re semi-arboreal and often can be found on fence posts and tree branches. They bask in the sun to warm themselves and can burrow underground to avoid extreme heat and predators. They’re cold-blooded and rely on external heat sources to raise their body temperature, which varies according to the temperature of their environment. In the 1960s, Australia banned the export of wild bearded dragons however, they’ve been bred in the United States for decades for the pet trade, and they come in a variety of color “morphs” not commonly found in the wild.Ī warm habitat is crucial for bearded dragons. They typically prefer to stick to warm, arid areas: deserts, subtropical woodlands, savannas, and scrublands. In the wild, bearded dragons’ range extends across most of Australia. The central bearded dragon, Pogona vitticeps, is the most common species to have as a pet. There are eight species species of bearded dragons recognized today, all of which are affectionately called “beardies.”Īmong the most popular pet reptiles, bearded dragons tend to be gentle, inquisitive, and active during the day. The bearded dragon lives up to its name: Like a dragon, it’s equipped with armor of spiny reptilian scales, which include a “beard” of spikes under its chin that puffs up depending on its mood.
