MORPHS
A Brief Explanation
Why would you want to know about bearded dragon morphs?!
Maybe you want to know what you've purchased. Maybe you want to know what all of your options are before you purchase. Maybe you love bearded dragons and you want to know everything there is about them! Whatever the reason, we've got you covered!
NORMAL
A normal bearded dragon closely resembles the native ones found in the wild. They have large spikes on their head and sides. They have a black line running down the top center of their nails.
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LEATHERBACK
A codominant trait that results in smaller scales. They will not have spikes down their back but will have smaller spikes on their head and sides. Their back feels much smoother compared to a regular bearded dragon. They have far less, if any, spikes on their legs. Their smaller scales also make their coloring appear more vibrant.
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SILKBACK
This morph is homozygous for the leatherback trait. It removes scales all together. They honestly feel like they're covered in human skin. (We will not create this morph.)
HYPO
Hypo is short for Hypomelanotic-lacking/less melanin. Their fingernails are clear (without the typical black stripe down the top) and their coloring lacks darker colors in their pattern.
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ZERO
A recessive trait that removes all patterns. Their color ranges from white, silver, and gray depending on their other morphs. For instance, a Hypo zero will appear a very true white, while others without this morph will appear more of a dark gray.
HYPO ZERO
NORMAL ZERO
WITBLITS
A recessive trait that removes all patterns, even the dark circles on their shoulders! They are typically earth tones such as yellow, brown, and orange. Some breeders have added a burgundy to their sides.
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Photo Credit Spice
Dragons
TRANSLUCENT
A recessive mutation that creates a partially “see-through” appearance and usually solid black eyes. When they are young, their bellies will appear blue. As they grow, their skin will thicken, and they will lose the blue coloring.
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DUNNER
A dominant trait that causes their scales to grow in a disorganized pattern resulting in a more distinct rough and bumpy texture. This mutation also changes the pattern. Dunners have a spotted pattern usually with vertical stripes as opposed to the standard horizontal. This morph does not display the typical horizontal rings running down their tails.
GENETIC STRIPE
This is a dominant trait that causes two distinct stripes running down either side of their spine from neck to tail. The term Thunderbolt refers to a Translucent Genetic Stripe.
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Photo Credit Dachiu
PARADOX
This is a random and typically unexplained genetic abnormality. No two are the same. They have random patches of color (lacking pattern or symmetry) that can appear anywhere on the body.
Photo Credit Dachiu
Helpful Terms to Know
HET (HETEROZYGOUS)
They possess two different alleles of a particular gene or genes. They carry the gene for a particular morph but do not display the morph visually.
HIGH COLOR
Visually showing distinct and vibrant colors.