Deserts
Central Bearded Dragon
Central Bearded Dragon
Scientific Name
Pogona vitticeps
Weight LB
0.6–1.2 lb
Average Life Span
8–12 years (up to 15 in captivity)
Fact
A fun fact about Pogona vitticeps, the Central Bearded Dragon, is they have a tiny "third eye" (parietal eye) on top of their head that detects light and shadows, helping them spot predators from above, and they also communicate with head bobbing, arm waving, and puffing their spiky "beards" black when threatened.
Weight KG
0.3–0.55 kg
Country
Australia
Continent
Oceania
Type
Reptiles
Diet
Omnivore
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Region
Australia
Gila Monster
Gila Monster
Scientific Name
Heloderma suspectum
Weight LB
1.5–5 lb
Average Life Span
20–30 years
Fact
A fun fact about the Gila monster is that a protein from its venom, exendin-4, led to the creation of a diabetes drug (Byetta) that helps control blood sugar, showing how this venomous lizard's bite can save lives. They are also one of the few truly venomous lizards in the world, spend most of their lives underground, and store fat in their tails to survive long periods between meals.
Weight KG
0.7–2.3 kg
Country
United States
Continent
North America
Type
Reptiles
Diet
Carnivore
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Region
North America