The Curious Travels of Bearded Dragons
Have you even wondered how far do bearded dragons travel in the wild? And why do they move at all?
For bearded dragons travelling in the wild it’s a constant juggling act: move too much, and you risk becoming a predator’s snack; move too little, and you might miss out on essential resources.
Bearded dragons navigate this challenge with remarkable adaptability, demonstrating their mastery of survival in challenging environments.
With constant challenges like temperature, predators, finding food and mates, bearded dragons navigate they travel plans with deliberate actions that save them energy and time. Like other lizards they also use strategies like blending into their surroundings, seeking shelter under shrubs, or remaining still when danger is near help them avoid threats (Schwarzkopf and Shine, 1992; Downes, 2001).
More in this series:
- Where can you find bearded dragons?
- A day in the life of a wild bearded dragon with a story about Kiko
- Check out more posts on bearded dragon behavior.
Bearded Dragons Traveling in the Wild
How Far Do Central Bearded Dragon Travel in the Wild?
Central bearded dragons travel in the wild an average range for of around 2.89 hectares (7.1 acres). Imagine wandering across an area as big as 7 American football fields or 5 Olympic swimming pools side by side. I think we can agree that’s a long distance even for you and I! Mind you, the central bearded dragon didn’t travel that far in one day, that was the average over 3 to 20 days which was the duration of Bernich et al., (2022) research.
The average range of the central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) clocks in at around 2.89 hectares (7.1 acres). If this were a backyard that you or I might have, it’d be large enough to fit over 12 full-sized tennis courts or a small city park. You can keep horses on that size land!
So given that, how do you feel about pet shops recommending bearded dragons live a 40-gallon tank tank now? A 40 gallon tank is roughly 4 feet long, 1.5 feet wide, and 1.5 feet tall, giving our bearded dragons about 6 square feet of space. Compare that to 7.1 acres—that’s over 500,000 times more space in the wild! Bearded dragons sure are adventurers.
But not every beardie sticks to a small patch of land. Some central bearded dragons travel over 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) in a matter of days. That’s like hiking the length of 10 Eiffel Towers stacked end-to-end or 5 Empire State Buildings! Of course, they don’t cover this distance in one go—these epic journeys take place over 3 to 20 days, with the floaters leading the charge. Floaters are the free-spirited nomads of the bearded dragon world, breaking away from fixed territories to explore the unknown (Bernich et al., 2022).
And excuse me but check out this nifty little characteristic. The width of a male’s tail plays a role in how far they travel! Yep, wider-tailed males—about 12% broader than average—were more likely to be floaters, with their tails acting as onboard fat storage to fuel their adventurous treks.
Meanwhile, males with longer tails—16% longer than average—were the homebodies, staying within defined territories, likely using their impressive tails for territorial displays and attracting mates (Bernich et al., 2022).
During the drought of 2017, even the homebodies had to stretch their boundaries travelling further. With resources running scarce during drought, central bearded dragons expanded their ranges, showing their incredible adaptability. Residents stuck to core areas, with their stores of food and basking spots, while floaters ventured into uncharted territory, showing the ultimate survival instincts of these remarkable creatures.
How Far Does the Western Bearded Dragon Travel in the Wild?
When the western bearded dragons travel in the wild they do it with purpose. These small but mighty travellers average about 114.6 meters (377 feet) daily, with straight-line distances clocking in at 68.3 meters (223 feet). That’s like covering the length of a cricket pitch, soccer field or 7 school buses every day! Compared to other lizards, this makes western bearded dragons (Pogona minor) standout explorers.
Now check this out for a kicker of a comparison. The larger, widely-foraging goanna (Varanus gouldii), weighing over 470 grams, total length of 1.6 meters – 5.25 foot (Auliya & Koch, 2020), travels a comparable daily distance of 111.6 meters (366 feet).
Meanwhile, the arboreal Kimberly Rock Monitor (Varanus glauerti) averages only 33.7 meters (111 feet) per day, despite being highly mobile in the treetops. Even the slightly larger Black Headed Monitor (Varanus tristis) and Black Palmed Rock Monitor (Varanus glebopalma) don’t always match western bearded dragons movement. It’s incredible just how far western bearded dragons travel in the wild for their size (Thompson and Thompson, 2003).
Even other agamids (bearded dragons are agamids) like the ant-eating thorny devil (Moloch horridus) in the Great Victoria Desert couldn’t match how far western bearded dragons tavel in the wild coming in at only 67 meters (220 feet) for males and 32 meters (105 feet) for females daily (Thompson and Thompson, 2003).
The western bearded dragon always moves for a purpose. They’re all about efficiency, balancing exploration with revisiting known spots for food or safety. On average, they’ll check out a new bush or log pile every 28 meters (92 feet), always making the most of their surroundings.
Thompson and Thompson (2003) found that western bearded dragons often return to places they know well to find food and stay safe. These bearded dragons are great at remembering where they’ve been, so they don’t waste energy exploring too much. By sticking to familiar areas, they also avoid predators and make the most out of their surroundings, especially in places where food is hard to find. Central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) adopt a similar balancing act, adapting their movements to maximize survival in the harsh arid zones of Australia.
How Far Does the Eastern Bearded Dragon Travel in the Wild?
During the breeding season, male eastern bearded dragons can travel up to 300 meters (984 feet) in a single day, often patrolling the edges of their territories to stake their claim and keep rivals at bay. That’s like walking the length of three soccer fields in just one day! These purposeful journeys are most common in late winter and early spring showing just how important breeding season is to them (Wotherspoon, 2007).
Female eastern bearded dragons (Pogona barbata) don’t travel as far as males in the wild. Although, Wotherspoon (2007) found that one particularly daring female bearded dragon travelled over 200 meters (656 feet) in a straight line to lay her eggs on a ridge before settling down.
And which gender do you think have bigger home ranges? Did you say males? You were right then. Females eastern bearded dragons home ranges average 5,200 square meters (1.3 acres), whereas males have a massive 21,000 square meters (5.2 acres) maintained by males.
Eastern bearded dragons also display fascinating adaptability. They can traverse their entire range in just a few days, using strategic forays to make the most of their environment. Males, in particular, patrol their territories with precision, covering large swathes of land to maintain dominance and ensure reproductive success. Whether they’re roaming vast distances or staying near egg-laying sites, these lizards demonstrate incredible resourcefulness and survival instincts.
Why do some Bearded Dragons Travel more in the Wild than Others?
Why do some bearded dragons travel further in the wild than others? The answer lies in their biology, behavior, and environment.
From wide-ranging males to resourceful females, bearded dragons use every tool in their survival kit. Their movements are driven by necessity—whether it’s defending a territory, finding mates, or laying eggs.
Males and Females Travel Different Roads with Different Goals
Male bearded dragons travel in the wild to claim territories, patrol boundaries, and fend off rivals while attracting mates.
Eastern bearded dragons travel long distances with males covering up to 300 meters (984 feet) in a single day—like walking the length of three soccer fields!
Western bearded dragons follow suit with males patrolling their smaller territories daily.
Meanwhile, central bearded dragons can be homebodies, staying in their territory or floaters living a nomadic lifestyle.
Females are moving around looking for safe places to lay their eggs or searching for resources. Central bearded dragon females, often floaters, roam far beyond their home ranges, while western and eastern bearded dragon females take strategic journeys for nesting and foraging (Wotherspoon, 2007; Bernich et al., 2022).
The Seasonal Shuffle: Adaptation in Action
Seasons add another layer to the incredible travels of bearded dragons. Central bearded dragon floaters expand their ranges during the hot midsummer months, searching for food and water when resources are scarce.
Meanwhile, the homebodies become more active in late spring as they prepare for breeding. Western and eastern bearded dragons show similar patterns, with males venturing farther during the breeding season to secure mates and show the other boys who is boss (Bernich et al., 2022; Thompson and Thompson, 2003; Wotherspoon, 2007).
Why Size (and Tail Width!) Matters in How Far Bearded Dragons Travel
When it comes to central bearded dragons, tail size plays a role. Wider tails mean more fat storage, giving them the fuel to travel long distances. In contrast, males with longer tails are more likely to stay put. These long tails are very useful for displays to impress their mates and fend off rivals (Bernich et al., 2022). I think we can both agree that is pretty smart!
Temperature Makes Bearded Dragons Move
Temperature plays a huge role in getting a bearded dragon moving.
Bearded dragons like temperatures between 25–35°C (77–95°F). When it’s cooler than 15°C (59°F) or hotter than 35°C (95°F), their activity drops significantly (Bernich et al., 2022; Thompson and Thompson, 2003).
Why don’t bearded dragons travel so much when it’s too hot or too cool? Because bearded dragons, like all ectothermic animals, can’t produce their own body heat. Instead, they rely on their surroundings to warm up or cool down. When it’s too cold, their muscles and metabolism slow, making it hard to move quickly or cover long distances.
When it’s too hot, overheating becomes a danger. Moving under the blazing sun risks dehydration and heat stress, so they conserve energy and stay in the shade. For a bearded dragon, it’s all about timing—basking to warm up in the morning, finding shade in the heat of the day, and getting active when the conditions are just right.
Bringing the Wild Home: What Bearded Dragon We Do for Our Bearded Dragons
I am sure we agree that bearded dragons travel vast distances in the wild. Now that we know that, does it make you question your own enclosure?
In the wild, bearded dragons explore areas the size of football fields. Clearly that is not possible for us at home but there are ways we can improve the area they have. For example, what if they had an indoor and outdoor enclosure? What if we get that 1.8 meter enclosure (or bigger) and its tall enough to put some nice sized branches in it, rather than worrying about with a little 40 gallon tank is enough?
With all that travel comes the different temperature gradients, warm to cool, sunny to shaded. There is no way a tiny enclosure can provide that sort of environment.
Bearded dragons are natural explorers. In the wild, they climb, hide, dig, and forage. How can we bring some of that adventure into their lives in our homes? Perhaps toss out those hammocks and adding climbing branches, rocks and a cozy hideout along with a dig box to their setup. Maybe even hide a tasty treats so they can find it. Keeps them engaged. Enrichment is just another way to show how much we care.
How Scientists Track how far Bearded Dragons Travel in the Wild
So, if we are going to figure out how far bearded dragons travel in the wild, they need to be tracked, right?
Researchers have found clever ways to keep track of these fascinating reptiles in the wild, offering a peek into their lives and habits. These methods reveal just how resourceful bearded dragons are in their environments.
Some scientists have used a spool-and-line tracking method, where a small spool of nylon thread is attached to the base of a bearded dragon’s tail. As the bearded dragon moves, the thread unspools, leaving a trail on the ground that marks every twist and turn. This technique helped Thompson and Thompson (2003) track western bearded dragons across rugged terrains like mining sites.
Others have opted for modern technology. Bernich et al. (2022) used GPS devices—like tiny backpacks strapped to the dragons—to track central bearded dragons. These devices recorded their locations day and night. Accelerometers, like the ones in smartwatches, measured how active they were at different times of the day.
Radio telemetry, another popular method, involves attaching a small radio transmitter to the dragon. Craig (2007) used this technique to study how western bearded dragons moved across their habitats. With radio signals, researchers could follow the dragons over weeks and months, even as they explored forests or rehabilitated landscapes.
Whether through threads on the ground, GPS signals from the sky, or radio waves in the air, these methods have given scientists a window into how bearded dragons survive and thrive in their diverse environments.
How Far Do Bearded Dragons Travel in the Wild Conclusion
So, as we saw, bearded dragons have a master plan to travel the world…Australia…their little bit of Australia.
When bearded dragons travel in the wild, they do it for a purpose whether it be to patrol their territories, set out to find their mates, find food, get the best nesting sites or locate shelter. And when the seasons change, so do their strategies—adapting and surviving.
So, how far do bearded dragons travel in the wild? Central bearded dragons roam areas the size of small city parks while our tiny western bearded dragons take purposeful steps, covering distances that rival much larger lizards. And eastern bearded dragons? These bold explorers can travel up to 300 meters (984 feet) in just a single day!
More in this series:
- Where can you find bearded dragons?
- Check out more posts on bearded dragon behavior.
References
- Auliya, M., & Koch, A. (2020). Visual Identification Guide to the Monitor Lizard Species of the World (Genus Varanus). Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.
- Bernich, A., Maute, K., Contador-Kelsall, I. C., Story, P. G., Hose, G. C., & French, K. (2022). Space use and daily movement patterns in an arid zone agamid lizard†. Wildlife Research, 49(6), 557–570. CSIRO Publishing.
- Craig, M. D., Hardy, G. E. S. J., Grigg, A. H., & Fleming, P. A. (2007). Ecology of the western bearded dragon (Pogona minor) in unmined forest and forest restored after bauxite mining in south-west Western Australia. Australian Journal of Zoology, 55(2), 107–116.
- Downes, S. (2001). Trading Heat and Food for Safety: Costs of Predator Avoidance in a Lizard. Ecology, 82(10), 2870–2881.
- Schwarzkopf, L., & Shine, R. (1992). Costs of reproduction in lizards: escape tactics and susceptibility to predation. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 31(1), 17–25.
- Thompson, S., & Thompson, G. (2003). The western bearded dragon, Pogona minor (Squamata: Agamidae): An early lizard coloniser of rehabilitated areas. Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia, 86(1).
- Wotherspoon, A. D. (2007). Ecology and management of Eastern bearded dragon : Pogona barbata.
