Bearded Dragon (High Colour)

Scientific Name: Pogona vitticeps
Common Name: Bearded Dragon (High Colour)

Species Overview

Size: Adults typically reach 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm), with males usually larger and broader-headed.

Appearance: High Colour Bearded Dragons represent a vibrant assortment of individuals selectively bred for increased saturation and richer colour tones. This group may include reds, oranges, yellows, citrus hues, tangerine variants, or mixed blends depending on lineage. Patterning also varies widely, from bold and defined to softer and more diffused. Because “High Colour” is a broad descriptor rather than a specific morph, visual traits differ significantly between animals, and the label does not imply a singular genetic background.

Distribution: Native to the arid interior regions of central Australia.

Habitat: In the wild, Bearded Dragons inhabit dry scrublands, semi-desert plains, rocky outcrops, and open woodlands. In captivity, they thrive in large desert-style enclosures with strong basking sites and warm, well-ventilated conditions.

Behaviour: Bearded Dragons are diurnal, typically calm, and highly visual. They exhibit natural behaviours such as digging, basking, climbing, head-bobbing, and arm-waving. High Colour breeding does not affect temperament or activity level.

Captive Care

Enclosure: Provide a terrestrial enclosure measuring 48 inches × 24 inches × 24 inches (120 × 60 × 60 cm) or larger. Use a soil–sand substrate mixture that is dry on top but deep enough to retain some moisture in the lower layers to support natural digging. Include basking platforms, branches, rocks, hides, and open ground for movement.

Temperature & Humidity:

• Basking area: 110 to 115°F (43 to 46°C)

• Warm side: 88 to 95°F (31 to 35°C)

• Cool side: 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C)
  Night temperatures may fall to 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C). Humidity should remain between 30 and 40%.

Lighting: Provide strong full-spectrum lighting and high-output UVB (10–12%) for 12 to 14 hours daily. Bright lighting is crucial for proper digestion, behaviour, and calcium metabolism.

Diet: Offer a balanced omnivorous diet including insects (crickets, roaches, silkworms, hornworms, black soldier fly larvae), leafy greens, vegetables, and occasional fruits. Juveniles require daily feeding, while adults eat every 1–2 days. Use calcium and multivitamin supplements.

Behaviour in Captivity: High Colour dragons behave identically to standard Bearded Dragons. They bask actively, dig, explore, and respond well to consistent routine and proper husbandry.

Special Considerations: Ensure proper UVB output, strong basking zones, and an enclosure that promotes natural behaviours. Overfeeding or inadequate lighting can lead to preventable health issues.

Taxonomy Note

The Bearded Dragon is part of the genus Pogona, a group of hardy, visually expressive agamid lizards native to Australia. Pogona vitticeps is the most widely kept species due to its manageable size, engaging behaviour, and adaptability.

Genetics Note

High Colour (polygenic):
High Colour refers to polygenic selective breeding aimed at producing animals with brighter, richer, or more intense colouration. Because this trait results from multiple contributing genes rather than a single mutation, colour expression varies widely between individuals. High Colour is not a specific morph and does not guarantee any particular genetic outcome. Animals in this category may come from mixed lineages with a range of morph backgrounds.