Rankin's dragon (''Pogona henrylawsoni'') is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
Australian
agamid
Agamidae is a family of over 300 species of iguanian lizards indigenous to Africa, Asia, Australia, and a few in Southern Europe. Many species are commonly called dragons or dragon lizards.
Overview
Phylogenetically, they may be sister to the ...
lizard. It may also be called the pygmy bearded dragon (though the name is shared with other small ''Pogona'' species) and the black-soiled bearded dragon.
The
specific epithet, ''henrylawsoni'', is in honor of the Australian author, poet, and philosopher
Henry Lawson
Henry Archibald Hertzberg Lawson (17 June 1867 – 2 September 1922) was an Australian writer and bush poet. Along with his contemporary Banjo Paterson, Lawson is among the best-known Australian poets and fiction writers of the colonial perio ...
.
Range
It is native to
Queensland
)
, nickname = Sunshine State
, image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg
, map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Australia
, established_title = Before federation
, establishe ...
in
Australia, but can be found in captivity across the world.
Description
''P. henrylawsoni'' is similar to the larger
central bearded dragon
The central bearded dragon (''Pogona vitticeps''), also known as the inland bearded dragon, is a species of agamid lizard found in a wide range of arid to semiarid regions of eastern and central Australia.
Taxonomy
''Pogona vitticeps'' was fi ...
(''P. vitticeps''), but is usually less than 30 cm (12 in) in total length (including
tail
The tail is the section at the rear end of certain kinds of animals’ bodies; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammal ...
), with a shorter and more blunt snout.
Common names
''P. henrylawsoni'' is also commonly called ''Lawson's dragon'', ''dumpy dragon'', ''pygmy dragon'', ''dwarf bearded dragon'', or ''black soil bearded dragon''.
Taxonomy
A formal description was not published for this lizard until 1985, despite being known to
herpetologists
Herpetology (from Greek ἑρπετόν ''herpetón'', meaning " reptile" or "creeping animal") is the branch of zoology concerned with the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians (gymnophiona)) and r ...
. The scientific name for this species was disputed, along with the other taxonomic treatments of
Wells and
Wellington
Wellington ( mi, Te Whanganui-a-Tara or ) is the capital city of New Zealand. It is located at the south-western tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Remutaka Range. Wellington is the second-largest city in New Zealand by metr ...
, but was published again by
Harold Cogger
Harold George "Hal" Cogger (born 4 May 1935) is an Australian herpetologist. He was curator
A curator (from la, cura, meaning "to take care") is a manager or overseer. When working with cultural organizations, a curator is typically a "col ...
(2000) and others as a valid name.
The name is noted as invalid in some sources, and given as a synonym for ''Pogona brevis''.
[Witten GJ. 1994. Taxonomy of ''Pogona'' (Reptilia: Lacertilia: Agamidae). ''Memoirs of the Queensland Museum'' 37 (1): 329-343.]
In captivity
''P. henrylawsoni'' has a life span of six to eight years, and its natural environment is hot, dry, and rocky, which must be mimicked in captivity. The Rankins dragon requires a minimum of 40 gallons and a hide, as well as multiple places to climb. It is a social species, and (with supervision) can be handled by children, but it does not like to be turned upside down, and will struggle when it is. Most specimens outside of Australia in captivity are descendants of dragons illegally exported in the 1980s. It is generally used as a substitute for ''
Pogona vitticeps
The central bearded dragon (''Pogona vitticeps''), also known as the inland bearded dragon, is a species of agamid lizard found in a wide range of arid to semiarid regions of eastern and central Australia.
Taxonomy
''Pogona vitticeps'' was firs ...
'', the most common species of bearded dragon in captivity. The Rankin's dragon is similar in personality, yet smaller and more manageable, where there is a lack of space and resources. The only issue is the small gene pool within captive populations, being unable to be supplemented by wild individuals from Australia.
References
External links
''Pogona rankini/henrylawsoni'' Dragon keeper's guide'' bearded dragon diet
Agamid lizards of Australia
Reptiles described in 1985
Taxa named by Richard Walter Wells
Taxa named by Cliff Ross Wellington
Pogona
Reptiles as pets
{{agamidae-stub