Pogona barbata

Spacious, well-ventilated terrarium / vivarium fitted with sturdy branches, climbing supports and basking areas (an active semi-arboreal species).

Minimum for an adult: 120 x 60 x 90 cm; go bigger, as the species is more active and exploratory than P. vitticeps. Height and vertical supports matter for its semi-arboreal habits. A clear horizontal thermal gradient (hot spot on one side, cool zone on the other) is essential.

Generally dry to semi-arid conditions. A slight localised humidity peak (a humid hide or morning misting) aids shedding and hydration. Avoid stagnant humidity, a factor in respiratory infections.

With juveniles and during feeding, avoid loose particulate substrates (free sand, fine gravel) that increase the risk of intestinal obstruction (impaction). A compact or solid substrate is safer; provide a loose, diggable area for gravid females.

Essential: strong desert-type UVB (T5 HO 10-12% tube / Ferguson zone 3-4), replaced every 6-12 months. The tube must cover the basking area with no glass/plastic filter, at the distance recommended by the manufacturer. Without adequate UVB, there is a high risk of metabolic bone disease.

Provide a small bowl of clean water, refreshed regularly; the species also drinks droplets after misting. Avoid overly large containers, which raise ambient humidity.

Eastern and south-eastern Australia (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, south-eastern South Australia). Found in dry forests, wooded savannahs and semi-arid areas, where the species readily climbs on trunks, stumps and fence posts.

Omnivore (insectivore-herbivore, with the ratio shifting with age) — Varied insects: crickets, Dubia roaches, locusts, silkworms; occasionally a small vertebrate (a newborn rodent) very rarely.

Juveniles are mostly insectivorous (fed daily); adults are more herbivorous (a growing share of plant matter: leaves, edible flowers, leafy greens). Dust insects with calcium (with/without D3 depending on the UVB) and give a multivitamin regularly. Avoid spinach and plants too high in oxalates/goitrogens in excess. Watch for obesity in the less active adult.

Clutch 15–35 eggs/young. Can produce several clutches per season after a winter brumation followed by warming up. Provide a lay box with loose, moist substrate for the gravid female. Artificial incubation ~55-75 days at around 28-30 °C (sex is not reliably temperature-determined as in some reptiles). Space out the clutches and supplement females well to prevent egg retention.

• Metabolic bone disease (MBD) from calcium/D3 deficiency or insufficient UVB
• Intestinal obstruction (impaction) linked to the substrate or overly large prey
• Respiratory infections (too cold or too humid an environment)
• Digestive parasitoses (coccidia, pinworms) and adenovirus infection (Agamid adenovirus)
• Egg retention (dystocia) in the female; obesity and hepatic steatosis in the overfed adult