There are multiple types of bearded dragons based on their distinctive color, size and charming character. Most people opt to keep beardies as pets.
You may have encountered the term “bearded dragon morphs” and wondered what it meant.
When you have decided to keep a lizard at home. The term “morph” is used to describe a variety of physical attributes, however, the “true morph” is a “genetic mutation” that creates particular traits.
They can have a variety of morphs and also various physical characteristics. We will go over twenty different dragon morphs and all you have to know about them is described below.
Bearded Dragon Traits:
Bearded dragons come in a wide range of sizes and colors. This is achieved by carefully mating two or more dragons with specified qualities together to create their offspring with the chosen traits.
When searching for a bearded dragon, you may come up with some of the terms mentioned below. These terms define the many varieties of beardies as well as their features:
Hypo:
The term “hypomelanistic” refers to things that possess less color. When two dragons with hypomelanistic traits are mated, “hypo-bearded dragons” are the progeny.
The hue of these beardies is usually considerably lighter than that of other dragons. It’s possible that they’re almost pastel in color. They have lighter “eyes” and “nails” than the other beardies.
Trans:
Translucent Bearded dragons, which possess skin look somewhat transparent or see-through, resulting from the pairing of two dragons with translucent features. Their eyes are usually completely black.
Translucent features are most commonly found on the tail and legs. In other circumstances, the body is involved as well.
Hypo Trans:
A “Hypo” and a “Trans” dragon were bred to create these beardies. These dragons have a little translucent skin. They are generally lacking any deeper hues.
Het:
When you find the word “het” in the name of a dragon, it signifies they’re carriers for a certain characteristic, such as transparency/hypomelanism, but don’t exhibit the trait. A “Het Trans bearded dragon”, for example, possesses the trait of transparency but doesn’t seem translucent. His progeny may seem translucent if he is mated with other beardies.
Het Hypo:
Bearded dragons are seen to have hypomelanism features but no visible signs of it. When they have progeny, some of them will have the hypomelanism characteristic, but others will not.
They are darker in appearance but they may still transmit the trait for lighter coloration when they breed with other beardies. If the characteristic is passed down, their progeny will become hypomelanistic and have lighter pigmentation.
Het Trans:
Bearded dragons that have transparent features but no visible signs of it. When they have progeny, some of them will have the transparent characteristic, but others will not.
Hypo Het Trans
These dragons have both the “translucent” and “hypomelanism” traits, however, only the hypomelanism characteristic is apparent.
As a result, they have a lighter coloration than many other beardies. However, because they’re still transmitters for the trait of translucency, their progeny will probably be transparent if they are mated. Because hypomelanism is a characteristic that may be passed down, their progeny may get it as well.
Trans Het Hypo
These dragons have both the “translucent” and “hypomelanism” traits, however, only the translucent characteristic is apparent. As a result, these beardies look translucent, with practically transparent skin.
They pass their translucent tait to their progeny. However, they’re still transmitters for the trait of hypomelanism, their progeny may probably inherit the condition, making them lighter in color.
Double Het
Both the “translucent” and “hypomelanism” traits are carried by these dragons. But, none of these characteristics is visible.
If the dragon has progeny, it may have one or both of these characteristics:
They might be lighter in color, transparent, or both.
Image credit @ pinterest.com
Bearded Dragon Morphs:
Morphs are Beardies that have been carefully bred to have a particular color, look, pattern, or a mix of all of these. “Morph breeding” is prevalent in a wide range of reptiles.
The color, patterning, and escalation of a dragon are determined by a multitude of genes interacting with one another.
It might be impossible to include all of the various names that breeders have assigned their particular breed because selective breeding may generate so many color variants of dragons. But, you may categorize all of the colors as follows:
- Classic or Wild Type
Cost: $100-$120
The classic/standard morph is commonly known as a “basic bearded dragon”. They resemble its wild form.
The backs of classic morphs are covered in tiny spikes, and their heads are large triangular with a beard.
These can be a variety of hues, including yellow, red, and tan with black and orange patterns. They are the most frequent dragon morphs, and they are also the least pricey to buy.
Color Morphs:
- Red bearded dragon
Red spots and highlights can be found on several wild animals. All-red species, on the other hand, are variants that have been produced in captivity.
Bearded dragons were popular in the reptile market in the nineties, and were the 1st to be bred. They come in a range of red colors. “Red bearded dragons” are created by mating two beardies with a predominance of red coloration.
As a result, their progeny have a considerably more reddish look. The darker the red color might grow as more generations are produced.
Some are brownish-red in color, while others are brilliant red. Ruby red is beardies that are a darker and more intense red. Blood red dragons have a stunning full-body color that becomes redder as they get older. As they shed, the colors grow brighter.
Below are some bearded dragons with a significant red look:
- Ruby red bearded dragon
- European Red
- Blood-red bearded dragon
- Sandfire Red
By combining red dragons with various colored beardies, you may create a range of dragons with distinct hues.
- Tangerine bearded dragon
- Sunburst bearded dragon
- Citrus tiger bearded dragon
- Sandfire red bearded dragon
- Orange bearded dragon
- Yellow Bearded Dragons
They are created by crossing two dragons with a predominance of yellow in their coloration. As a result, their progeny seem to be considerably more yellow.
The darker the yellow coloration might grow as more generations are produced. When yellow and red dragons are bred together, golden dragons are frequently produced.
Here are a few bearded dragons with a lot of yellow:
- Sandfire gold bearded dragon
- Gold bearded dragon
- Citrus bearded dragon
- Yellow bearded dragon
- Lemon fire bearded dragon
The beardies with a mix of yellow and other colors are listed below:
- Tangerine bearded dragon
- Sandfire red bearded dragon
- Citrus tiger bearded dragon
- Orange bearded dragon
- Sunburst bearded dragon
- White Bearded Dragons
They are created by combining two dragons with white/pale coloration, resulting in offspring of lighter-colored beardies.
Snow beardies are extremely uncommon and are white (patternless or colorless) morphs. The coloration of the white beardies varies as the temperature varies:
- In colder areas, these morphs are gray.
- In warmer regions, they are white.
- White morphs are formed by mating snow and a witblit dragon (a morph with no pattern).
- They resemble the snow variety in look but have fewer dark spots in blotches.
Below are bearded dragons with pale or white hues:
- Albino bearded dragon
- Snow bearded dragon
- Hypomelanistic/Hypo Bearded Dragons
They have “below standard color,” which resembles a pastel variant of the standard beardies. Because their color is light/pastel.
They are born brilliant and multicolored, but their body produces low amounts of melanin due to a mutation occurring, they become paler as they become older. Translucent nails and a wide spectrum of skin colors, from pink to yellow, pale orange, snow, and powder blue characterize this morph.
Below are some types of hypomelanistic morphs:
- Red Hypomelanistic
- Yellow Hypo
- Blood Hypo Orange
- Red Het Hypomelanistic
- Hypo Red Crawley
- Hypo Het Translucent
- Hypo Yellow
- English Belgium Hypo
- Hypo Snow
- Translucent Bearded Dragons
These dragons are “hypomelanistic”, however, they’re also referred to as “trans morphs” because of their translucent spikes/scales. A “recessive trait” is responsible for this.
They have “cloudy skin” while they are immature. Because it’s so thin, it’s somewhat translucent. Black lining of their internal organs may be seen, giving the appearance of blue bellies and backs due to their clear membrane.
They also have incredibly dark, solid eyes with no visible iris and blue eyelids on occasion. This morph’s distinctive eyes are what distinguishes it from the rest.
Some of them have even been observed to switch from one type of eye color to another during their lives.
For “translucent morphs” with uncommon traits like non-solid colored eyes, some breeders use the term “partial trans”.
This, though, is not entirely right. No morph is partially transparent. Just “trans morphs” with normal and unusual characteristics exist.
Their skin grows as they grow, and the blue hue normally fades. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes given below:
- Red and Orange Hypo Translucent
- Rally Red Trans
- Hypo Translucent Genetic Stripe
- Leatherback Genetic Stripe
- Citrus Tiger Hypo Translucent
- Belgium Translucent
- Hypo Het Translucent
- Dark Translucent
- Polar Translucent
- Black Bearded Dragons
Some bearded dragons have darker skin due to a high pigment in their skin. Black beardies, on the other hand, are nearly unknown. Because of its environment/aggression, this species could appear black. Because reptiles are “ectotherms”, they must adjust their body temperature based on their climate.
If they get too cold, their hue will naturally darken by absorbing more heat. When beardies are sick, frightened, or stressed, their beard turns black.
- Orange Bearded Dragons
These morphs are created by crossing red and yellow dragon morphs. They are among of the most bright and eye-catching captive variants. Orange beardies are rather abundant and may be found easily. These are several variants given below:
- Tangerine
- Sandfire
- Citrus Tiger
- Citrus Tiger Sunburst
These beardies lack the vibrant hues seen in the Sandfire, Sunburst, and Tangerine morphs. “Tangerine” morphs have a brilliant orange-colored body with yellow highlights that makes them stand out. Some of them possess a neon orange hue.
“Sandfire red morphs” feature a red-colored body with orange and yellow highlights.
- Blue or Purple Bearded Dragons
They will only maintain that color until they are quite young. A blue/purple progeny is produced when two “Translucent Bearded Dragons” are mated. The baby dragon’s ability will alter and get translucent when they mature.
- Albino Bearded Dragons
Albino beardies lack melanin. Their spikes are white, and their eyes are pink/red. Despite their remarkable blizzardy look, they’re quite rare in captivity. They were born albino naturally. They don’t live much more than a few weeks because they can’t absorb UVB radiation or metabolize calcium adequately.
The majority of breeders that advertise albino morphs for sale are selling snow or white or leucistic dragons.
- Paradox Bearded Dragons
These morphs are bred for their unique pattern. Crossing many different morphs resulted in this unusual patterned variant.
One unique feature of paradox beardies is that hatchlings resemble any other bearded dragon. They just start to show the distinctive features associated with this morph as they grow older.
- Tiger Stripe
- Witblit
These have been bred specifically for their particular patterns:
Paradox’s patterns are unique, with a series of irregular color patches. The backs of “tigers stripes” feature deep horizontal orange and gray stripes. Witblits are bred to be completely devoid of stripes and bands.
There is a brief list of different color morphs of bearded dragons, their appearance, and their cost.
| Color | Appearance | Cost ($) |
| Black | Darker/black spots because of environmental changes | NA |
| Albino | Reddish eyes and entirely white skin | NA |
| Citrus | Yellow with darker orangish-red stripes | 100-200 |
| Blue | Translucent | 300-400 |
| Green | Olive and green with the classic yellows | 200-300 |
| Citrus Tiger | More defined orange stripes than a citrus color | 100-$200 |
| Orange | Various tints of orange including burnt brown shades | 100-200 |
| Lemon Fire | Very brilliant and vivid yellow | 200-300 |
| Red | Various tints of red including brown and brighter more vibrant shades | 50-150 |
| Purple | Purple tint and translucent | 300-400 |
| Sandfire | Tan/red with several stripes and bands | 100-200 |
| Ruby Red | Deep dark red | 200-300 |
| Silkie | No spikes/scales | 100-200 |
| Sandfire Red | Red with highlights of yellow and orange | 100-200 |
| Sunburst | Yellow with orange highlights | 100-200 |
| Snow | Completely white with no markings | 200-400 |
| Translucent | Light yellow to white with a clear blue stomach | 300-400 |
| Tangerine | Distinctive orange with occasional yellow highlights | 200-300 |
| Yellow | Several tints of yellow including tan | 100-200 |
| White | White with infrequent patches of color | 300-400 |
Scalation Morphs of bearded dragons:
- Leatherback Bearded Dragons
The smooth, spikeless backs of these dragons separate them from other beardies. But, they possess spikes around their heads and the limbs of their bodies.
The terms “American Leatherback” and “Italian Leatherback” may occur, however, they are no longer used because leatherback mutations are seen in both “Italy” and the “US” are generally identical. These are more pricey to buy than “classic” and “hypomelanistic” variants because they are more infrequent.
Below are some types of leatherback morphs:
- Hypo Leatherback
- Purple Paradox Leatherback
- Het Hypomelanistic Leatherback
- Hypo Translucent Leatherback Dunner
- Zero Hypo Leatherback
- Red Italian Leatherback
- Italian Leatherback
- Silkie or Silk back Bearded Dragons
The “smooth”, “spikeless backs” of these dragons separate them from other beardies. But, they possess spikes around their heads and limbs. The terms “American Leatherback” and “Italian Leatherback” may occur, however, they are no longer used because leatherback mutations are seen may in both “Italy” and the “US” are generally identical.
These are more pricey to buy than “classic” and “hypomelanistic” variants because they are more infrequent. Their skin is prone to injury and harder to care for since they lack spikes/scales.
- Red Italian Silk back is a variant of silkies.
- Microscale Bearded Dragons
When you cross two beardies (one with two dominant leatherback genes and one with one dominant and one recessive leatherback gene), you’ll get a “microscale morph”.
They are extremely rare and costly but they have few spines and none on their beards/sides of their body, and spines on the backs of their heads that are smaller than standard. They are extremely rare and costly.
- Dunner Bearded Dragons
“Kevin Dunn”, the person who created this beardie breed, was named after him. This morph resembles a standard morph with the exception that their scales have no regular pattern. They’ve various distinguishing characteristics that set them apart from other variants:
- Blotched/irregular markings in a peculiar pattern
- Feet are larger and tails are thicker
- Scales point in all various directions, giving the impression of being uneven/haphazard.
- Rather than jutting straight out, the spikes on their beards protrude out sideways.
- Over the year, several distinct variations of Dunner Morphs have been produced.
These are some of the variants of Dunners:
- Yellow & Orange Hypo Citrus Dunner
- Hypo Translucent Dunner
- Hypo Translucent Leatherback Dunner
- Hypomelanistic Dunner
Leucistic Morphs:
16. Zero Morph
“Germany” is where the zero morphs were created. Non-hypomelanistic zeroes are silvery/gray, whereas hypomelanistic zeroes are whitish. It’s one of three variants that looks leucistic.
This morph is created by mating two beardies with a recessive trait and passing it along to the next generation. They are completely lacking any markings, no colors, patterns, or differentiating characteristics.
Beardies have a pale silvery hue to them. Their black shoulder pads are the sole feature that distinguishes them from “witblits” or” silverbacks”.
Zeroes, in particular, are predisposed to this, maybe because of their inherently pale skin. In other words, do not panic if you notice your dragon becoming lighter over the day.
They are just adjusting their internal temperature to cold temperatures. They will get back to silvery color when it becomes warm. Zero Morphs is becoming increasingly popular among dragon enthusiasts.
They’re still uncommon. Buying them is relatively expensive due to the rising demand and limited availability.
17. Witblits Morph
When a dragon breeder in “South Africa” succeeded to create a pale dragon with a single solid hue, he named it “witblit” (white lightning).
These are second leucistic morphs. They aren’t exactly white, either. A recessive gene is responsible for these dragons’ distinct features, which include gray, dull earth, or pastel hues with no patterns/markings to divert the eye.
They’ve no color on their shoulders, except for zeros, weros, or silverbacks. They are more costly and difficult to find because they are uncommon dragons.
The third leucistic one is “Hypo morph” discussed above in color morphs.
Patternless Morphs:
18. Silverback Morph
These were the only “patternless bearded dragons” known until the “witblits” and “zero” morphs were found.
These are recessive morphs that take away the majority of a beardie’s colors and patterns. The silverback morph, which originated in “Japan”, has never truly taken off in the state sides.
They are beige, off-white, or brownish in hue, and they are born with marks that fade off with time.
Although, they have a few patterns at birth but become patternless when mature. Silverbacks were the 1st dragon to be bred without a pattern. Because many people do not prefer the look of Silverbacks, finding one might be challenging because they’re not bred very frequently.
“Witblits” and “Zeros” are the other two patternless morphs that are discussed in leucistic morphs.
Striped Morphs:
19. Genetic Stripe Morph
Stripes run along the spines of these morphs. These stripes on them are caused by a “dominant genetic mutation”.
These colorless stripes run from the “neck” to the “tail”. The most important thing to know about them is that it is the only “striped bearded dragon” that is a true morph – one that displays a characteristic generated solely by a genetic mutation.
Other Morphs:
20. Wero Morph
They are created by crossbreeding a “Witbilts Morph” and a “Zero Morph”. Besides a few black splotches near the base of the tail, they seem remarkably similar to zeros. They are completely white and are patternless
21. German Giant Morph
They are merely extra-large variants of standard beardies. It’s tough to know if a dragon hatchling is a giant morph. In most cases, you won’t know until it’s completely developed.
If you own a giant bearded dragon, ensure you provide it with a large enough enclosure to live in. Aside from its increased size, this morph resembles a Standard Morph. It’s tricky to tell if this is a Classic or a German giant morph.
Here are some of the German Giant variants:
- Hypo Red Dragon German Giant
- Greenie X Orange German Giant
- Hypo Red Orange German Giant
Taxonomic Classification:
The term “bearded dragon” really belongs to a genus of lizards named “Pogonas”. They are “semi-arboreal lizards” that may be spotted in “deserts”, “forests”, and shrublands of Australia. Beardies are available in a range of shapes and sizes.
Their types are determined by their size and look rather than their color. There are eight different types of Bearded dragons:
- Pogona barbata
- Pogona minor minima
- Pogona microlepidota
- Pogona henrylawsoni
- Pogona minor minor
- Pogona nullarbor
- Pogona minor mitchelli
- Pogona vitticeps
Comparison of Eight Species of Bearded Dragon:
| Species | Adult Size | Color | Location |
| Pogona barbata | 24” | Gray/red | Eastern Australia |
| Pogona minor minima | 12” | Tan/brown | Houtman Abrolhos Islands |
| Pogona microlepidota | 4” to 6” | Tan/red | Northern Australia |
| Pogona henrylawsoni | 12” | Tan/yellow | Western and Central Australia |
| Pogona minor minor | 14” to 18” | Tan/brown | Western and Central Australia |
| Pogona nullarbor | 14” | Tan/brown | Southern Australia |
| Pogona minor mitchelli | 18” | Tan/red | Northwestern Australia |
| Pogona vitticeps | 24” | Yellow/red | Central Australia |
- Pogona barbata:
Cost: $50-$300
Color: Grayish black, Red
Size: more than 24”
This is the most common species of beardies and is native to Australia’s wooded areas. Also known as ” Eastern bearded dragons” or “frilly/Jew lizards”.
Pogona barbata may reach a length of around 24″, while females are normally a bit shorter, roughly 20″. The color of this species is often grayish black or red, with juveniles generally lighter than mature.
The foreheads of several dragons of this variety have a slightly yellow, blue, or light green hue.
- Pogona minor minima
Cost: $50-$300
Color: Grayish brown
Size: more than 12”
This dragon is substantially smaller than its other subspecies and can only be seen on the “islands of Houtman Abrolhos”.
They are only around 4.5″ in length from snout to vent, with a tail more than 10″ long. ” North Island”, “East Wallabi Island”, and “West Wallabi Island” are the only three islands in the “Wallabi Group” where this species may be found.
- Pogona microlepidota
Cost: $50-$300
Color: Red, tan, yellow
Size: 4-6 inches
The “Kimberley bearded dragon” and “small-scaled bearded dragon” are the common names of this species.
They have a smaller neck frill as compared to other beardies. This species is located in “Western Australia”. There isn’t a huge amount of information available on this species.
- Pogona henrylawsoni
Cost: $50–$300
Color: Gray, red, brown, yellow
Size: more than 12”
This species sometimes referred to as the “pygmy bearded dragon” and is commonly known as “Rankin’s bearded dragon”, is found in “Australia” and Queensland.
They are the same as the “Central bearded dragon”, but it is considerably smaller, only reaching a length of around 12″. The snout of this species is similarly “blunter” and “shorter”.
- Pogona minor minor
Cost: $50-$300
Color: Gray-brown
Size: more than 15”
They are also known as “dwarf bearded dragon” and are native to “Western Australia’s southwest coast and interior”, with a subspecies restricted to the “Wallabi Group of islands”.
Despite its name, this dragon is rather large, although it is smaller than the Pogona vitticeps, average 14″ long.
Due to its smaller size, this beardie’s dietary habits are a little distinct from those of other species. While most bearded dragons are herbivores, this species eats insects.
- Pogona nullarbor
Cost: $50-$300
Color: Red, brown, yellow
Size: more than 14”
The “Nullarbor bearded dragon” is a less frequent species that may be located in “southern Australia”, where it prefers to live in “flat brushlands”.
- Pogona minor mitchelli
Cost: $50-$300
Color: Red, brown, yellow
Size: more than 18”
They are commonly known as “Mitchell’s bearded dragon”, and may reach a length of more than 18″.
This species may be found in a variety of environments, such as “semi-tropical woodlands” and deserts, mostly in “northwestern Australia”. These are seldom encountered in the pet trade.
- Pogona vitticeps
Cost: $50-$300
Color: Red, brown, yellow
Size: more than 24”
The Central bearded dragon is the most popular species to keep as a pet, growing more than 24″ long with a tail that is half its length.
Males have a bigger cloacal aperture and a broader tail base than females, but there is no strong sexual dimorphism in Pogona vitticeps They come in a variety of colors, including orange, red, brown, white, and yellow.
The rocky desert areas, arid woodland, and semiarid woodland of “central Australia” are home to these beardies.
Conclusion:
Bearded dragons come in a vast range of species, morphs, and colors. Some of these variants are more difficult to come by and might be worth significantly more costly than the others.
If you buy a dragon for its look, keep in mind that it may vary with time. Their skin colors appear to fade as they get mature. Their hues may get more prominent at other times. During its life, your dragon’s patterns may fade and become less distinctive.
Also, be confused to buy a bearded dragon based only on its appearance. Because lighting variations might alter the appearance of a dragon’s coloring or patterns. Read carefully, to know about the features of different morphs of the bearded dragon before making a purchase.
FAQs:
What is the reason behind the black beards of bearded dragons?
Their black beard can signify sickness, stress, or fear particularly if other areas of the body are also black. If this occurs, the beardie should be sent to a reptile dealing veterinarian.
Pet beardies will occasionally blacken their beards to attract the attention of their handlers, especially if they wish to play.
Which color of a bearded dragon is the most frequent and rare?
Bearded dragons with purple/blue colors are the rarest. very uncommon and pricey. These hues actually exist, but they are incredibly rare and are generally at high prices.
The most popular colors are b Brown and tan and usually the least expensive colors.
Which one is the first patternless morph of a bearded dragon?
Silverback dragons were the first to be bred patternless. Because many people do not prefer their looks, finding one might be challenging because they’re not bred very commonly. The other two patternless morphs are witblits and zeros.
Enlist the types of bearded dragons found in the wild?
Beardies have a vast range of shapes and sizes. The following are eight types of dragons found wildly:
- Pogona barbata
- Pogona nullarbor
- Pogona minor minima
- Pogona henrylawsoni
- Pogona microlepidota
- Pogona minor mitchelli
- Pogona minor minor
- Pogona vitticeps
