{{Short description|Species of lizard}} {{speciesbox | image = Pogona henrylawsoni 87992320.jpg | image_caption = In Queensland. | genus = Pogona | species = henrylawsoni | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 20 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Wilson, S. |author2=Melville, J. |date=2017 |title=''Pogona henrylawsoni'' |volume=2017 |article-number=e.T83493462A83493472 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T83493462A83493472.en |access-date=20 November 2021}}</ref> | authority = Wells and Wellington, 1985<ref name="W&W1985">Wells RW, Wellington CR. 1985. "A classification of the Amphibia and Reptilia of Australia". ''Australian Journal of Herpetology, Supplementary Series'' (1): 1-61. (''Pogona henrylawsoni'', new species, p. 19)</ref> }}

'''Rankin's dragon''' ('''''Pogona henrylawsoni''''') is a species of Australian agamid lizard. It may also be called the '''pygmy bearded dragon''' , '''black-soiled bearded dragon''' or '''downs bearded dragon'''.

The specific epithet, ''henrylawsoni'', is in honor of the Australian author, poet, and philosopher Henry Lawson.<ref name="W&W1985"/>

==Range== It is native to Queensland in Australia, but can be found in captivity across the world.{{cn|date=June 2025}}

==Description== ''P. henrylawsoni'' is similar to the larger central bearded dragon (''P. vitticeps''), but is usually less than 30&nbsp;cm (12&nbsp;in) in total length (including tail), with a shorter and more blunt snout.<gallery mode="packed"> File:Pogona henrylawsoni 175778696 (cropped).jpg|Showing dorsal patterns File:Pogona henrylawsoni 175778664.jpg|Closeup </gallery>

==Common names== ''P. henrylawsoni'' is also commonly called ''Lawson's dragon'', ''dumpy dragon'', ''pygmy dragon'', ''black soil bearded dragon'' or ''Pogona brevis''.<ref>{{NRDB species|genus= Pogona |species= henrylawsoni}}</ref>

==Taxonomy== A formal description was not published for this lizard until 1985, despite being known to herpetologists. The scientific name for this species was disputed, along with the other taxonomic treatments of Wells and Wellington,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.smuggled.com/pogona1.htm | title = ''Pogona'' - From an Australian Perspective. | author = Hoser R | date = June 1997 | publisher = Author's website | quote = paper from ''REPTILIAN MAGAZINE'' (United Kingdom) '''5''' (2): 27-41. (Online version). }}</ref> but was published again by Harold Cogger (2000) and others as a valid name.<ref>Cogger HG. 2000. ''Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, Sixth Edition''. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Publishing. [http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species.php?genus=Pogona&species=henrylawsoni cite]</ref>

The name is noted as invalid in some sources, and given as a synonym for ''Pogona brevis''.<ref>Witten GJ. 1994. Taxonomy of ''Pogona'' (Reptilia: Lacertilia: Agamidae). ''Memoirs of the Queensland Museum'' '''37''' (1): 329-343.</ref>

==In captivity== [[File:Pogona henrylawsoni.jpg|thumb|At Diergaarde Blijdorp, in Rotterdam]] ''P. henrylawsoni'' has a life span of 10 to 15 years in captivity,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-19 |title=Rankin's Dragon 101: Care, Diet, Size, Lifespan & More! |url=https://www.reptiledirect.com/rankins-dragon/ |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=www.reptiledirect.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and its natural environment is hot, dry, and rocky, which must be mimicked in captivity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rankins Dragon Care Sheet |url=https://www.reptilecentre.com/pages/info-rankins-dragon-care-sheet |access-date=2024-08-11 |website=Reptile Centre |language=en}}</ref> The Rankin's dragon requires a minimum of 40 gallons and a hide, as well as multiple places to climb. It is a more social species compared to the ''Pogona vitticeps'' and as such can be cohabited much easier. Males will not tolerate one another like most lizard species. It (with supervision) can be handled by children, but it does not like to be restricted or turned upside down, and will struggle when it is. Most specimens outside of Australia in captivity are descendants of dragons illegally exported in the 1980s. It is generally used as a substitute for ''Pogona vitticeps'', the most common species of bearded dragon in captivity. The Rankin's dragon is similar in personality, yet smaller and more manageable, where there is a lack of space and resources. The only issue is the small gene pool within captive populations, being unable to be supplemented by wild individuals from Australia, whereas deformation of the spine is occurring. It is also a common pet among lizard owners.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to Care for Your Rankins Dragon |url=https://reptilesupply.com/blogs/care-sheets/how-to-care-for-your-rankins-dragon#:~:text=Rankins%20dragons%20are%20less%20popular,struggle%20with%20limited%20available%20space. |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=ReptileSupply.com |language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [http://www.rankinsdragon.co.uk ''Pogona rankini/henrylawsoni'' Dragon keeper's guide] * [https://reptileanswers.com/what-do-bearded-dragons-eat-a-comprehensive-guide-to-beardie-nutrition/ ''Bearded dragon diet'']

{{Taxonbar|from=Q244056}}

Category:Agamid lizards of Australia Category:Reptiles described in 1985 Category:Taxa named by Richard Walter Wells Category:Taxa named by Cliff Ross Wellington Category:Pogona Category:Reptiles as pets

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