What Are the Different Bearded Dragon Morphs?

Bearded dragons are available in many types, and new morphs are expected in the future. The term morph applies to the variety of colors that come from the lizard’s environment and breeding. Bearded dragon morphs include Sunburst, Leucistic, Snow, and Salmons. Blood Dragons, German Giants, and Sandfire™ dragons are also variations of this exotic pet.

Gray is the most common bearded dragon color, and is often combined with shades of brown, black, or orange tones. Color changes can occur due to variations in the lizard’s emotions. When a bearded dragon becomes aggressive or is startled, the colors typically become stronger and more noticeable. The reptiles also are able to regulate their body temperatures by making slight color changes. In warmer weather, the lizard changes to a lighter shade and becomes darker in cold weather.

Selective breeding creates many color variations. Bearded dragon morphs can be found in blues, reds, apricot, gold and even stripes of assorted colors. It is often recommended to breed male and female reptiles of different colors to obtain the greatest variety of bearded dragon morphs.

The Sandfire™ dragon is a lizard with bright red and orange tones against a sandy colored base. Blood dragons have a rich, deep red color that is evident even when they are hatchlings. The German Giant is not named as much for its color as for its strength. This bearded dragon grows quickly, produces numerous eggs, and is hardy in many environments. As their name indicates, salmons have colors in pink and orange shades that may include lavender markings.

Hypomanelistic and Snow bearded dragon morphs typically have shades of yellow, pink, lavender and white. When first hatched, they are a translucent pink shade that quickly becomes beige. The color continues to lighten and most of these morphs have no color patterns by the time they are six months of age. Leucistic dragons are white at the time of hatching and remain so through adulthood. The Sunburst morph has a yellow base color with orange and red markings. Its tail normally has bands of orange and yellow.

Other terms for bearded dragon morphs include hypo, translucent, Leatherback and Silkback. A hypomelanistic, or hypo, dragon has less pigmentation and a lighter appearance. As one might imagine, one can almost see through the underside of a translucent morph. Leatherback refers to very small scales on the back that are almost smooth. Silkbacks are a cross-breed of two leatherbacks and have very smooth skin.

Bearded dragons are a lizard in the Pogona genus. The beard is actually a spiny projection on the throat. When the dragon is threatened, the spines puff outward. Males of the species tend to have darker beards than females, and this color will also darken during mating season.

A bearded dragon morph is a variation in the species that has been selectively bred for specific physical traits, such as color, pattern, or scale texture. These morphs are the result of genetic mutations and careful breeding practices to enhance or combine these desirable characteristics, creating a diverse range of appearances within the species.

There are dozens of bearded dragon morphs, with new ones being developed by breeders regularly. Some of the most popular morphs include the Classic, Hypomelanistic, Leatherback, Translucent, Silkback, and Dunner. Each morph offers a unique combination of traits that appeal to different enthusiasts and collectors.

The classic bearded dragon morph, also known as the standard or wild-type, has the typical spiky scales and natural coloration seen in wild bearded dragons. In contrast, the leatherback morph has a mutation that results in smaller, smoother scales, giving them a leather-like appearance and often enhancing their color vibrancy.

Yes, some bearded dragon morphs can be more expensive due to their rarity, unique appearance, or the complexity of breeding required to achieve them. For example, morphs like the Zero, which is completely patternless and pale, or the Witblits, which also lacks patterns, can command higher prices than more common morphs.

Different bearded dragon morphs can interbreed, and the offspring may exhibit a combination of traits from both parents. This can result in entirely new morphs or variations. However, breeding should be done responsibly to avoid health issues and to maintain genetic diversity within the captive population.

While all bearded dragon morphs generally require similar care in terms of diet, habitat, and temperature, some morphs may have specific needs. For instance, Silkbacks, with their scaleless skin, are more sensitive to rough surfaces and require additional moisturizing. It's essential to research the particular needs of the morph you are caring for.