There are eight recognized species of bearded dragons, all of which are affectionately called "beardies."

The name "bearded dragon" refers to the "beard" of the dragon on the underside of the throat, which can turn black and puff out for a number of reasons, most often as a result of stress, or if they feel threatened.

Head bobbing is usually used to communicate dominance between two dragons. Males will head bob at females to show their dominance during breeding. At other times, two bearded dragons will head bob at each other as a sign of territorial aggression. Generally, the faster the head bob the more threatening. If a dragon decides to back down, it will begin waving its arm as a sign of submission.

Bearded dragons originated in the deserts of Australia, with the various species occupying slightly overlapping areas of the landmass. As a result, they typically prefer warm, arid areas--deserts, subtropical woodlands, savannas, and scrublands.

Bearded dragons produce a mild venom originating from primitive venom glands. Although generally harmless towards humans, it is effective in paralyzing insects.

When breeding bearded dragons, the incubation temperature can change the sex of the baby within the egg regardless of its sex chromosomes. If the eggs are incubated at a higher temperature (34 °C/93.2 °F and higher) the hatchlings will be female, and when the eggs are incubated at a lower temperature (30 °C/86.0 °F and lower) they will be male.

It takes just half of a firefly to kill a full-grown bearded dragon.

Having evolved in a desert climate, bearded dragons are very savvy when it comes to water storage. They don't waste a drop. Instead, their efficient little bodies conserve water internally and use it to stay hydrated. None of it is lost in the form of urine. Instead, uric acid is released in the form of a white powder.

The way lizards become dormant in cold weather is very different from other animals, and a separate name was invented for it in the 1920s: brumation. Bearded dragons go through brumation when the temperature goes below 60-70 °F during the night and 75-80 °F during the day for eight to ten hours. They can go for months without food, but wake up frequently to drink water and return to "sleep".

Snakes and large lizards have no natural predators in Hawaii and therefore pose a serious threat to the state's environment because they compete with native animal populations for food and habitat. As a result, it is illegal to own, buy, or sell a bearded dragon in Hawaii.