If you are a pet lover, you might be torn between a bearded dragon VS horned toad. Both of them are unique pets.
While they have many similarities, they are separate species with different features like habitats, diet, reproduction, and temperament.
In this article, we provide facts about those animals and the differences between them. Scroll down to know the details!
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What Is a Bearded Dragon VS Horned Toad?
1. Bearded Dragon
As its name indicated, a bearded dragon is like a real dragon. It has the armor of spiny reptilian scales.
Based on its emotion, the spikes under its chin can puff up anytime. Scientists have found eight species of bearded dragons. All of them are called “beardies” as close friends.
Unlike dangerous dragons in folk tales, bearded dragons are generally gentle, friendly, and active all day.
Besides, Pogona vitticeps are well-known for being the most popular reptile species to raise as pets.
| Common name | Bearded dragon |
| Scientific name | Pogona |
| Type | Reptiles |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Average life span | From four to ten years |
| Size | 18 to 22 inches |
| Weight | 10 to 18 ounces |
2. Horned Toad
Many people asked if horned toads are related to bearded dragons when they look at their familiar appearance.
But they are entirely different species.
The lizard lives in the desert, so it features many large horns on the backside of its skull.
Its scientific name is Phrynosoma, which means “toad-bodied,” referring to its superb short tails compared to others.
We have already found 22 species of the genus, mainly in Central and North America.
We can name the toad as a solitary animal since it spends most of its time walking and wandering around the desert to find insects to eat.
The favorite meal of the toad is ants, so anthills are their special place.
However, ants own quite a considerable number of indigestible fibers, so the predator must develop a significant belly to contain food fully.
Unlike Pogona, the Phrynosoma is not a popular pet because not many people love raising ants for it to digest.
| Common name | Horned toad/horned lizard |
| Scientific name | Phrynosoma |
| Type | Reptiles |
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Average life span | From five to eight years |
| Size | Up to four inches |
| Weight | Less than one ounce |
What Are the Differences Between a Bearded Dragon VS Horned Toad?
There are four main differences between a bearded dragon VS horned toads, including:
- Where they live – In the wild, most bearded dragons live in Australia, while horned toads are mainly in North America.
- Diet – Both animals are omnivores, but horned toads are more obsessed with ants than their friend.
- Reproduction – The average amount of eggs toads lay seems not to be slightly more extensive than dragons do.
- Temperament – Dragons tend to be more gentle than lizards overall.
4 Different Features of a Bearded Dragon VS Horned Toad
1. Where They Live
One of the enormous differences humans can notice between a bearded dragon VS horned toad is their habitat.
In the natural environment, most beardies live in Australia.
They like arid and warm places like savannas, deserts, scrublands, or subtropical woodlands.
Since the 1960s, so many wild bearded dragons are exported from Australia, forcing the authority to ban that kind of trade.
However, there are still many of them bred in some countries like the US as pets.
Until now, you might be unable to realize some kinds of those wild dragons because their color has changed a lot after decades of being domesticated.
Moreover, the cold-blooded animal exceptionally depends on the outside heat to balance its body temperature. Therefore, a warm shelter is the dragon’s priority.
It can be like a lazy cat on a sunny day, using hours to bask and warm up. However, if it becomes too hot or the dragon finds out any danger, it could dig a hole underground and escape all day long.
As a semi-arboreal pet, you can find the bearded dragon on tree branches or fence posts.
Concerning the toad, it lives in various places, especially in North America.
For instance, the flat-tailed kind of species lives in areas of fine sand.
Short-horned lizards, by contrast, prefer spruce-fir forest and short-grass prairie.
Additionally, whatever species they are, most people say no when they are asked if mountain horned lizards are good pets.
Moreover, in the Arizona Upland division, the regal horned lizard is considered the most common species.
It often visits some familiar places like gravelly or rocky habitats, arid and semiarid plains, low mountain slopes, and hills.
2. What They Eat
Like any popular pet, bearded dragons can eat many types of food.
Their diet ranges from animals (beetles, rodents, and small lizards) to vegetables and fruit.
You might be surprised that its “green” meal can be like a real human being, like diced carrots, peas, chopped beans, kale, or iceberg lettuce.
That guy also likes leaves and flowers.
The toad also eats various stuff. But what it digests is relatively different.
As we just mentioned, the lizard deeply loves ants, so it is called “Myrmecophagy” or “ant-eating.”
Every day, it can eat up to 100 ants, including both harvester ants and argentine ants.
So, I might say no if you ask if horned lizards are good pets.
Moreover, we also notice that it can capture mealworms and superworms as well.
Unlike the dragons that use strong jaws to grab food, toads have stick tongues to do so.
Besides, they eat similar types of vegetables: lettuce, leaves, kale, and carrots.
3. Reproduction
Reproduction is another difference between a bearded dragon VS horned toad.
A bearded dragon female tends to have a unique capacity to store sperm.
From one mating, it can lay two different clutches that include 11 to 30 eggs.
Besides relying on the incubation temperature, the bearded dragon’s embryos’ gender can be changed.
For instance, embryos with more male chromosomes might become female if the temperature is consistently high.
The sweltering weather might make the dragon child dumber as well.
That is to say, a slight change in the environment can make a huge difference in any creature’s life and feature.
A lizard female can lay an enormous average number of eggs than a dragon one, varying from three to 45 eggs.
However, they can only reproduce one clutch each time.
Besides, only a tiny amount of eggs can ultimately develop to a sexual maturity period of around two to five ones.
Phrynosoma’s breeding time is from May to August.
Particularly, short-horned lizard mothers retail their eggs in their bodies until they are born.
Therefore, there is an argument that the type of horned toad gives birth instead of having eggs.
In reality, the lizard has to maintain their small children because of the harsh condition in high elevations.
The low temperature might be a considerable risk to the eggs and slower for them to develop.
4. Temperament
You can notice another big difference in the temperament of a bearded dragon VS horned toad.
To protect themselves, the toads squirt blood out of their eyes. Let’s take a look at this video to know more about their blood-shooting eyes:
Besides, it is not a big fan of being handled. When you hold it, the animal keeps quiet and stiff, showing its unhappiness.
It is just waiting to bolt back to safety anyway.
On the other hand, the dragon enjoys being handled. Many owners commented that their little beardies are even more docile and mellow than cats and dogs.
So that may be the answer to the question of the bearded dragon VS horned lizard.
Furthermore, that guy has such an intense curiosity that he can discover anything in the surroundings.
As a result, a larger tank might be his preference.
If you want to hold that kind of animal, put your hand under its abdomen and slightly lift it.
When you sense it relaxes on your palm, curve your fingers around its waist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bearded Dragon VS Horned Toad
1. Can Horned Toads Be Pets?
It is not an excellent idea to keep horned toads as pets because they have a special diet: ants.
If you like your house clean and stay away from such a kind of insect, raising a horned lizard is the wrong choice.
Besides, some of their species are on the verge of extinction.
We should protect them instead of snatching them out of their typical houses.
2. Is It Legal to Have a Horned Toad?
In many places, it is banned to keep a horned toad.
However, in some countries, you are allowed to pet one.
But it is essential to understand that the population of the animal has declined for decades.
You even can not see the Texas horned lizard in East and Central Texas anymore.
Besides, taking care of such species is complex and complicated as well.
3. Can a Bearded Dragon Kill You?
The answer is no. He is exceptionally safe with humans.
Although it might hide a venom to protect it from small prey animals, the tiny amount can not cause any severe pain.
4. What Do Bearded Dragons Hate?
They are recognized to hate other animals and pets like dogs, cats, and others.
When they see others wandering around, they often want to escape in the tank all day.
It is their instinct to be scared and threatened by those creatures.
Conclusion
In summary, above are some main pieces of information related to the bearded dragon VS horned toad.
While both are reptiles, they are mainly different in their diet, habitats, reproduction, and temperament.
We hope the article has helped you distinguish those animals in the best way.
Key points to take away with regards to horned toad vs bearded dragon:
Both horned toads (horny toads) and bearded dragons belong to the reptile family but differ significantly in various aspects. Here’s a concise comparison between the two in a bullet point format for quick reference:
1. Species Classification:
- Horned Toad: Also known as horned lizards or horny toads, they belong to the Phrynosoma genus and are native to North and Central America.
- Bearded Dragon: Belonging to the Pogona genus, bearded dragons are native to Australia and are popular as pets worldwide.
2. Physical Characteristics:
- Horned Toad: They have distinct, flat bodies covered in spikes or horns, which act as defense mechanisms against predators. Their size ranges from 2 to 5 inches.
- Bearded Dragon: They possess a more robust body structure with triangular heads and a “beard” of spiky scales under their chin. Adults can grow between 18 to 24 inches in length.
3. Habitat and Behavior:
- Horned Toad: Horned toads prefer arid and desert environments and are adept at camouflage. They primarily feed on insects and are known for their unique defense mechanism of shooting blood from their eyes when threatened.
- Bearded Dragon: Found in arid woodlands and deserts of Australia, bearded dragons are diurnal reptiles known for their calm demeanor. They enjoy basking under heat sources and have omnivorous diets, including insects, vegetables, and fruits.
4. Interaction with Humans:
- Horned Toad: They are more elusive and less common in the pet trade due to their specialized care requirements and protected status in some regions.
- Bearded Dragon: Highly popular as pets due to their docile nature, ease of care, and adaptability to captive environments. They readily interact with their owners and can recognize them.
5. Pet Care and Keeping:
- Horned Toad: Their specific habitat needs and specialized diet make them more challenging to maintain in captivity, requiring specific UV lighting, temperature, and dietary preferences.
- Bearded Dragon: Relatively easier to care for, they require appropriately sized enclosures, UVB lighting, controlled temperatures, and a varied diet comprising insects and vegetation.
6. Popularity as Pets:
- Horned Toad: While intriguing, their specialized care and legal protections make them less common as pets, primarily kept by experienced reptile enthusiasts.
- Bearded Dragon: Widely sought after as pets due to their availability, docile nature, and relatively easy care requirements, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced reptile keepers.
In summary, horned toads and bearded dragons differ significantly in their physical characteristics, habitats, care needs, and popularity as pets. While both are intriguing reptiles, bearded dragons are more commonly kept as pets due to their ease of care and adaptability to captive environments.
