Nullarbor bearded dragon (Pogona nullarbor)

Short answers

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

From 100×60×60 cm for one animal; for a pair from 115×60×60 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report).

Nullarbor bearded dragon: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 28–32 °C, basking spot 38–45 °C, at night 20–22 °C.

Nullarbor bearded dragon: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6).

Nullarbor bearded dragon: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 8–12 years.

Nullarbor bearded dragon: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

28–32 °C

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

38–45 °C

Humidity

30–40 %

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 3–4, UV index 4–6)

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 100×60×60 cm for one animal; for a pair from 115×60×60 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)

Substrate

A loam and sand mix, flat stones as a basking spot, retreat caves

Feeding

Food

Insects (house crickets, crickets, roaches) plus wild herbs and flowers; increasingly plant-based as adults

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 34 cm total length (SVL ~14 cm, tail ~20 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 8–12 years

Origin

The Nullarbor Plain, south-western and southern Australia; semi-desert scrub steppe

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; a strict Australian export ban – hardly legally available outside Australia, proof of origin required

Brumation

A slight winter rest is possible (4–6 weeks, 15–20 °C); optional

Cohabitation

Keep them singly (territorial); one male plus females is possible in a large enclosure. NEVER keep males together.

Notes

Practically absent from the trade in Europe (an export ban); species-specific care sheets are largely lacking, and the husbandry figures are derived from the genus – with uncertainty. Lively, and it can become confiding.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Nullarbor bearded dragon (Pogona nullarbor) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) – Intermediate
• Central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) – Beginner to intermediate
• Kimberley bearded dragon (Pogona microlepidota) – Intermediate
• Mitchell's bearded dragon (Pogona mitchelli) – 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 Nullarbor bearded dragon (Pogona nullarbor) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 100×60×60 cm for one animal; for a pair from 115×60×60 cm (15 % more floor space per additional animal, as in the 1997 expert report)), substrate (A loam and sand mix, flat stones as a basking spot, retreat caves), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.