A Rankin dragon is a lizard with a slim body, round head, and short snout. Its spiky skin and scales vary between different shades of gray and brown. If your lizard also has a distinct bowtie mark across its back, it is most likely a Rankin dragon.
Features Of Rankin Dragons vs Bearded Dragons
One of the best ways of identifying if you have a Rankin dragon is knowing how to distinguish them from their cousins, bearded dragons. Below are the characteristics of Rankin dragons that set them apart from the other lizards.
Shape Of the Head
As mentioned earlier, Rankin dragons have round heads, unlike bearded dragons, whose head is arrow-shaped. This is one of the most distinctive physical features that can help you separate the two since their skin color is often almost identical.
However, bearded dragon morphs have a wider variety of patterns, scales, textures, and sizes.
Besides the shape of the head, Rankin dragons also lack the prominent beard found in bearded dragons.
Size
Genetics is a crucial predeterminant of the size your lizard will grow to. Even so, factors such as poor husbandry, nutrition, or unhygienic living conditions can cause the lizard to have stunted growth, thus affecting its size when mature.
If your lizard is mature, then size is another feature that can help you know if you have a Rankin dragon. Rankin dragons do not grow very big, often getting to a length of around 12 inches. This is unlike bearded dragons, who grow to almost double the size.
If the lizard is not mature, you can ask the breeder or pet store to give you a growth chart. When using a beardie’s growth chart, and your lizard is significantly lagging in size, then it is most likely a Rankin dragon.
To make this conclusion, you would need to confirm that all the living conditions and diet of the lizard are optimal.
Sociability
Another way to tell if you have a Rankin dragon is by observing their socialization. Rankin are social and live in colonies. As such, they will co-exist if you have several female Rankin dragons and a male.
However, several males in the same enclosure may not peacefully co-exist. If you like friendly animals, then you will love that a Rankin will enjoy your touch and is easy to bond with.
On the other hand, beardies are solitary animals and hardly live together. When put in the same enclosure, they fight over territories or as a show of dominance.
Lifespan
Just as with size, the lifespan of the lizard is primarily predetermined by its genetics. Even so, there are particular things you can do to ensure that your dragon lives as long as possible.
They include providing the proper diet, correct habitat conditions such as lighting and heating, and suitable sources of enrichment.
The average lifespan of Rankin dragons is 6 – 10 years. Although it is hard to tell how long your dragon will live, you can use the expected lifespan in the dragon’s information sheet to know whether it’s a Rankin.
If you do not have the details, you can ask the breeder or pet store to guide you. Remember that small mistakes in this reptile’s care can significantly affect its lifespan since they are not as hardy as bearded dragons.
On the other hand, bearded dragons live for about 10 – 15 years, on average. They are likely to give you companionship for longer than a Rankin dragon because they are bigger and hardy.
Even though they are hardy, you would still need to provide optimal living conditions for the bearded dragon to live to the expected lifespan.
How to Tell If You Have a Female or Male Rankin Dragon?
Male Rankin dragons often have thicker tails and bigger heads than females. Even so, this might not give accurate results, especially if the Rankin are of different ages or growing in different environmental conditions.
A more accurate way of telling male and female Rankin dragons apart is looking beneath their tails. Females have one hemispherical bulge that looks like a lump, while males have two. In addition, female Rankin are often heavier and longer than males. It is because females need extra space for growing eggs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Rankin Dragons Bite?
Rankin dragons are hardly aggressive. Coupled with the fact that they are sociable, they hardly bite. They also torelate handling and are not territorial, which makes it hard to see a Rankin dragon bite. Even so, excess poor handling can make them aggressive.
To avoid having the Rankin dragon bite, you should ensure to handle it properly by picking it up wholly and supporting its full weight. Never pick a Rankin dragon by its head, limbs, or tail.
Are Rankin Dragons Friendly?
Yes, Rankin dragons are pretty friendly. They make a great choice if you are looking for a cute reptile that remains small and one you can bond with.
They are also easy to maintain, and you won’t need a big enclosure since they do not grow big, only attaining about 12 inches when mature.
How Long Do Rankin Dragons Live?
The average lifespan of Rankin dragons is between 8 and 10 years. Longevity ultimately depends on genetics and factors such as diet, habitat, husbandry, temperature, and lighting settings. If you are unsure of the correct care for your Rankin dragon, consult an exotic vet.
Conclusion
Rankin dragons are small lizards, with their native environment being Australian deserts. If your dragon has a round head without a beard, is short with a slim body frame, and is sociable, then it is most likely a Rankin dragon.