Habitat:
arid savannas, semi-desert areas and rocky outcrops

Activity period :
Active during the day when temperatures are favorable, often seen basking in the sun.

Identification and description:
The bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is a medium-sized diurnal lizard (20–60 cm total length, including tail) with a broad triangular head and spiny scales around its throat. Native to central Australia’s arid regions, it inhabits savannas, rocky outcrops and semi-desert areas, feeding on insects, small vertebrates and plant matter. During the breeding season (September 1–February 28), males bob their beards and perform lateral shuffles to court females, which lay clutches of 15–30 eggs buried in sand. Hatchlings emerge between November 15 and April 15 after a 60–75-day incubation.

Recommended lens:
100 mm – adjust based on distance, desired framing (portrait or habitat), and approach conditions.

Photography tips:
Position yourself eye-level at about 5 m from the bearded dragon and use a 100–400 mm telephoto lens on a tripod or monopod for stability. Set aperture to f/5.6–f/8 to balance sharpness and background blur. Use a shutter speed of 1/1000 s or faster to freeze motion. Shoot during soft morning or late-afternoon light, and capture in RAW for maximum editing flexibility.