Pogona minor

Western bearded dragon
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Iguania
Family:	Agamidae
Genus:	Pogona
Species:	P. minor
Binomial name
	Pogona minor; (Sternfeld, 1919)
Subspecies
	Three, see text.
Synonyms
	Amphibolurus barbatus minor; Sternfeld, 1919; Pogona barbata minor; (Sternfeld, 1919); Amphibolurus minor; (Sternfeld, 1919);

Last updated October 24, 2025

Pogona minor is a species of agamid lizard from a group commonly known as bearded dragons, and is found on the southwest coast and interior of Western Australia. The species Pogona minor includes the widespread nominotypical subspecies Pogona minor minor, commonly known as the western bearded dragon, which is widespread across Western Australia between the Pilbara and the south coast,^[3] and the subspecies Pogona minor minima, which is confined to the Wallabi Group of islands.^[4] There is another subspecies, Pogona minor mitchelli, which lives in tropical woodlands of the Kimberley area of Western Australia.^[3]

Description

Pogona minor minor is 15 cm (5.9 in) in snout-to-vent length (SVL) and 38 cm (15 in) in total length (tail included). P. m. minima is slightly smaller, at 11 cm (4.3 in) SVL, and P. m. mitchelli is slightly larger at 16 cm (6.3 in) SVL.^[3] All bearded dragons have a chameleon-like colour, either blending into their environments or presenting brighter displays during interaction with others. They are similar in appearance to Pogona nullarbor and Caimanops amphiboluroides (mulga dragon), but are distinguished by a smaller head, and the arrangement of spines on the underside and neck.

Geographic distribution

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.^[4]^[5]

Behavior

Pogona minor displays a behavior common to other Pogona species. It will wave one of its fore legs to trigger a response from a potential rival or mate. Another typical behavior is head-bobbing amongst males, perhaps related to dominance within the social order. It is often seen basking on fence posts.^[4]

Reproduction

Pogona minor is oviparous. The adult female usually lays a clutch of 5–9 eggs, though clutches of up to 15 have been recorded.^[3]

Diet

Due to its small size, it is likely that Pogona minor is insectivorous unlike most other bearded dragon species which are herbivorous.^[3]

Subspecies

The following three subspecies of Pogona minor are recognized as being valid.^[2]

Pogona minor minima (Loveridge, 1933)
Pogona minor minor(Sternfeld, 1919)
Pogona minor mitchelli (Badham, 1976)

Nota bene : A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was oroginally described in a genus other than Pogona.

Etymology

The subspecific name, mitchelli, is in honor of Australian herpetologist Francis John Mitchell.^[6]^: 179

References

↑ Melville, J.; Doughty, P.; Craig, M.; Macdonald, S.M. [sic] (2017). "Pogona minor ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 e.T83493552A83493572. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T83493552A83493572.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.
1 2 Species Pogona minor at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.
1 2 3 4 5 Melville, Jane; Steve, Wilson (2019). Dragon Lizards of Australia. Museums Victoria Publishing. pp. 332–333. ISBN 978-1-921-833-49-6.
1 2 3 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 978-1-920694-74-6. 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
↑ Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.

External links

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[iucn_status_20_November_2021-1] Melville, J.; Doughty, P.; Craig, M.; Macdonald, S.M. [sic] (2017). "Pogona minor ". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 e.T83493552A83493572. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T83493552A83493572.en . Retrieved 20 November 2021.

[RDB-2] 1 2 Species Pogona minor at The Reptile Database www.reptile-database.org.

[Dragon_Lizards_of_Australia_book-3] 1 2 3 4 5 Melville, Jane; Steve, Wilson (2019). Dragon Lizards of Australia. Museums Victoria Publishing. pp. 332–333. ISBN 978-1-921-833-49-6.

[Browne-Cooper-4] 1 2 3 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 978-1-920694-74-6. Pogona minor minor, Abrolhos Bearded Dragon

[5] "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

[6] Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. xiii + 296. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5.

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