Walking up the steep steps
behind the township
of Noosa Heads this morning
I was bemoaning the fact
that I never see
critters on this walk
while they must be there in the trees,
old logs and deep leafy carpet
on the forest floor
I found a bright little flower on the path
and the curious green flowers
of the macaranga tree
with the large parasol leaves
I began to make my way down hill
through a residential zone
and spotted a movement on a front lawn
he stopped very still
and as I cautiously approached
he scampered into the leafy camouflage
and I walked closer still
he's a Bearded dragon
with rows of spiny scales on his throat
which he can puff and expand if threatened
and also spines on the back of his head
He has a hand waving gesture
to indicate submission to other dragons
and a head bobbing action to show dominance
He's also able to change colour
like a chameleon
The bearded dragon enjoys basking in the sun
in dry arid zones of Australia
but when the temperatures rise to 38'-50'C
he buries himself underground
He's an omnivore and also diurnal.
The Dragon can grow 45-60 cm
half of which is tail
and despite his angry appearance
he makes a gentle pet...
