Kimberley bearded dragon (Pogona microlepidota)

Short answers

Kimberley bearded dragon: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm.

Kimberley bearded dragon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 26–32 °C, basking spot 40 °C, at night 20–24 °C.

Kimberley bearded dragon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %).

Kimberley bearded dragon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 8–12 years.

Kimberley bearded dragon: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

26–32 °C

Night temperature

20–24 °C

Basking spot

40 °C

Humidity

50–65 %

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0–12 %)

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm

Substrate

Sand-loam, climbing branches, stone slabs, hiding places

Feeding

Food

Insects, leafy greens, herbs

Feeding interval

adults 3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

25–30 cm total length

Life expectancy

8–12 years

Origin

North-western Australia (the Kimberley) – monsoon forest

Protection status

Export from Australia is prohibited – only European captive-bred animals

Brumation

A cooler spell of 6–8 weeks

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is the least stressful option - bearded dragons are territorial and a second animal means competition for the basking spot and hides. At most one male with several females in a very large, well-structured enclosure with visual barriers can work; drawback: the male constantly pursues the females during the mating season. Never keep two males together, they fight over territory and the basking spot.

Notes

The smallest and most humidity-loving bearded dragon – it lives in monsoon forests rather than desert and needs markedly more humidity than P. vitticeps. Very rare in Europe.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Kimberley bearded dragon (Pogona microlepidota) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) – Intermediate
• Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) – Beginner to intermediate
• Mitchell's bearded dragon (Pogona mitchelli) – Intermediate
• Nullarbor bearded dragon (Pogona nullarbor) – Intermediate
• Rankin's bearded dragon (Pogona rankini) – Beginner
• Western bearded dragon (Pogona minor) – Intermediate
• Rankin's dragon (Pogona henrylawsoni) – Beginner to intermediate
• Gippsland water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii howittii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Kimberley bearded dragon (Pogona microlepidota) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm), substrate (Sand-loam, climbing branches, stone slabs, hiding places), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.