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All the personality of a bearded dragon at two-thirds the size: Rankin’s dragon — the pygmy or “Blacksoil” dragon — is the compact Pogona that fits a 90 cm enclosure for life and stays light enough for younger keepers to handle confidently. Rankin’s are every bit as bold and food-driven as their big cousins, arguably even more social toward their keepers, and remain far scarcer in European collections than they deserve.
At a Glance
| Species | Pogona henrylawsoni (Rankin’s / pygmy bearded dragon) |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 25–30 cm — half a central beardie |
| Lifespan | 8–10 years |
| Enclosure | 90×45×45 cm for life |
| Temperature | Basking surface 38–40 °C; cool end 24 °C |
| Lighting | T5 UVB 10–12 % — same requirement as any Pogona |
| Diet | Dusted insects + fine-chopped greens |
| Experience level | Beginner |
Rankin’s Dragon Care Basics
Keep exactly like a central beardie, scaled down: hot basking zone, strong UVB, calcium-dusted feeders, daily salad. Their smaller jaws want smaller prey — medium crickets and small dubia are ideal. Rankin’s are notably active foragers; scatter-feeding greens keeps them busy and visible all day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose a Rankin’s over a central bearded dragon?
Space and handling: lifetime housing in 90 cm, and a lighter, quicker lizard that’s easier for kids to hold safely. Personality is pure beardie.
Are they rarer than normal beardies?
Considerably — captive-bred Rankin’s appear in European lists only sporadically, which is why we flag availability honestly per animal.
Can Rankin’s be kept in groups?
Like all Pogona they’re best solo. Females sometimes tolerate each other, but separate housing removes all risk and stress.
Why Buy From EU Exotic Reptile Hub
- Captive-bred in Europe — no wild-caught animals, ever
- Live-arrival guarantee and health guarantee on every animal
- Verified feeding — we ship only established feeders, with a feeding record
- Lifetime care support from our keepers, one message away
Shipping Across the EU
We ship EU-wide with specialist live-animal couriers in insulated, heat- or cool-packed boxes, dispatched only when the weather forecast along the whole route is safe. You receive tracking on dispatch day and your animal typically arrives within 24 hours. See our shipping policy and FAQ for full details.
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