Bearded dragons come in a range of sizes and colors. This is done by carefully breading two or more bearded dragons together with specific traits to produce bearded dragon offspring with desired characteristics. Oftentimes bearded dragon breeders will use certain words to describe the beardies they are selling that many people may not understand. This section will go over everything you need to know about these bearded dragons.
Normal - Bearded dragon offspring from breeding two bearded dragons with different traits.
Hypo - Bearded dragon offspring from breeding two bearded dragons with hypomelanism traits. Generally the offspring are lighter in color and have a sigificant reduction of dark colors in the skin, eyes, and nails.
Trans - Bearded dragon offspring from breeding two bearded dragons with translucent traits which makes their skin appear to be slightly translucent/see-through. Generally trans bearded dragons have solid black eyes.
Hypo Trans - Bearded dragons that lack dark colors and have slightly transparent/translucent skin.
Het Hypo - Bearded dragons that carry the hypomelanism trait, yet do not display it visually. If a het hypo produces offspring, some of the offspring may show the hypomelanism trait while others don't (this is largely depndant on the traits of bearded dragon which it was bred with).
Het Trans - Bearded dragons that carry the translucent trait, yet do not display it visually. When they produce offspring, some of the offspring may show the translucent trait, while others may not (this depends on the traits of the other bearded dragon which was mated).
Double Het - Bearded dragons that carry both the hypomelanism and translucent traits, yet do not display them visually. Their offspring may or may not show these traits, depending on the traits carried by the other bearded dragon which was used to mate.
Hypo Het Trans - Bearded dragons that show the hypomelanism trait, yet carry (and don't display) the translucent traits.
Trans Het Hypo - Bearded dragons that show the translucent trait, yet carry (and don't display) the hypomelanism trait.
Bearded Dragon Types
There are several different types of bearded dragons. Generally the types have less to do with their color and more to do with the bearded dragon's sizeLearn how big bearded dragons normally get. and appearance. Below are some different types of bearded dragons:
German Giant Bearded Dragons The German giant dragons are bred by mating dragons that are larger in size than the average dragon. By doing this with every generation they have developed a breed of dragons that are generally 50% larger than regular bearded dragons. These dragons come in a variety of different colors, however since they are usually specifically bred most breeders will produce German giants in unique colors.
*PLEASE NOTE - We are not endorsed or affiliated with any of the breeder(s) listed above. However, we do our best to only list reputable and established breeders.
Leatherback Bearded Dragons Leatherback dragons have a mutated gene which prevents their scales from growing to full size. This gives them a larger number of smaller scales which make the dragon appear and feel smoother. The smaller scales also help increase the coloring of the dragon. These dragons come in a variety of different colors, however since they are usually specifically bred most breeders will produce leatherbacks in unique colors.
*PLEASE NOTE - We are not endorsed or affiliated with any of the breeder(s) listed above. However, we do our best to only list reputable and established breeders.
Silkback Bearded Dragons Silkbacks are bred by mating two leatherback dragons. The end result is new dragons with an even smoother appearance. Generally the scales are so small on some silkbacks that they look as smooth as skin. These dragons come in a variety of different colors, however since they are usually specifically bred most breeders will produce slickbacks in unique colors.
*PLEASE NOTE - We are not endorsed or affiliated with any of the breeder(s) listed above. However, we do our best to only list reputable and established breeders.
Bearded Dragon Colors
In nature, the color of a bearded dragon was dependent upon its habitat. However, because of selective breeding you can get bearded dragons in just about every color.
How Selective Breeding Works
Selective breeding is the process of mating two specific bearded dragons with each other to produce offspring that have specific traits you want. For example, if you find a male and female bearded dragon that contain a lot of red coloring, their offspring will have even more red coloring.
Since selective breeding can produce so many color variations of bearded dragons, it would be pointless to list all the different names the breeders have given their specific breed. However, you can classify all the colors into the following categories:
Red Bearded Dragons
Red bearded dragons are bred by breeding two different dragons with a high amount of red coloring. This causes their offspring to have a much more red appearance. The more generations that are bred, the deeper the red coloring can become.
By breeding red dragons with different colored dragons, you can produce a variety of uniquely colored dragons.
The following is a list of bearded dragons that have a mostly red appearance:
» Red bearded dragon
» Blood-red bearded dragon
» Ruby red bearded dragon
The following is a list of bearded dragons that have a mix of red with other colors:
Yellow Bearded Dragons
Yellow bearded dragons are bred by breeding two different dragons with a high amount of yellow coloring. This causes their offspring to have a much more yellow appearance. The more generations that are bred, the deeper the yellow coloring can become. When breeders combine yellow dragons with red dragons they will often produce dragons that are golden in appearance.
The following is a list of bearded dragons that have a mostly yellow appearance:
White Bearded Dragons
White dragons are bred by mating two dragons with white or pale coloring to produce a new generation of dragons that have a lighter color.
The following is a list of bearded dragons that are white or pale:
» Albino bearded dragon
» Snow bearded dragon
Blue, Black, and Purple Bearded Dragons
These colors can be hard to find, but they do exist and are the results of careful breeding and planning to get these colors.
Standard Colors
Standard colors of bearded dragons are generally a mix of green, tan, yellow, and red colors. Most bearded dragons come in these shades and you generally only find solid colored bearded dragons from selective breeders.
*PLEASE NOTE - We are not endorsed or affiliated with any of the breeder(s) listed above. However, we do our best to only list reputable and established breeders.
Bearded Dragon Species
There are 9 different species of bearded dragons, all of which are found in Australia (the natural habitat of bearded dragons). Below is some general information about each specie.
Pogona Barbata
Known as the Coastal or Eastern bearded dragon, they are usually found in Eastern Australia, but can sometimes be found in central or South Australia as well.
Habitat
Max Length
Dry wooded areas
24 Inches
Behavior
-Active during the day.
-Like climbing, but also enjoy moving on the ground.
-Can be territorial when around other dragons.
Pogona Henrylawsoni
Known as Lawsons bearded dragon, they are usually found in the western and central parts of Queensland, Australia.
Habitat
Max Length
Dry, rocky, arid locations (deserts)
12 Inches
Behavior
-Active during the day.
-Love climbing more than anything else
Pogona Microlepidota
Known as the Drysdale river bearded dragon, these are very rare and are usually found in North Kimberley Australia.
Habitat
Max Length
Coast and woodlands
4-6 Inches
Behavior
-Unknown because of rareness
Pogona Minor Minor
Known as the Dwarf bearded dragon, they are rare and are usually found in Western or central Australia.
Habitat
Max Length
Rocky areas and woodlands
14-18 Inches
Behavior
-Unknown because of rareness
Pogona Minor Minima
Known as the Western bearded dragon, these rare lizards are found in Western Australia and long the Houtman Albrohos Islands.
Habitat
Max Length
Dry woodlands
12 Inches
Behavior
-Unknown because of rareness
Pogona Minor Mitchelli
Known as Mitchells bearded dragon, these rare lizards are found in North Western Australia.
Habitat
Max Length
Semi-tropical woodlands and desert
18 Inches
Behavior
-Unknown because of rareness
Pogona Nullarbor
Known as the Nullarbor bearded dragon, they can be found in South Australia.
Habitat
Max Length
Flat brush environments
14 Inches
Behavior
-Unknown because of rareness
Pogona Vitticeps
Known as the Central bearded dragon, they can be found in Central Australia.
Habitat
Max Length
Dry brush environments, forests, and deserts
24 Inches
Behavior
-Have gentle nature
-Awake during the day
-Enjoy climbing
The German giant dragons are bred by mating dragons that are larger in size than the average dragon. By doing this with every generation they have developed a breed of dragons that are generally 50% larger than regular bearded dragons. These dragons come in a variety of different colors, however since they are usually specifically bred most breeders will produce German giants in unique colors.
Leatherback dragons have a mutated gene which prevents their scales from growing to full size. This gives them a larger number of smaller scales which make the dragon appear and feel smoother. The smaller scales also help increase the coloring of the dragon. These dragons come in a variety of different colors, however since they are usually specifically bred most breeders will produce leatherbacks in unique colors.
Silkbacks are bred by mating two leatherback dragons. The end result is new dragons with an even smoother appearance. Generally the scales are so small on some silkbacks that they look as smooth as skin. These dragons come in a variety of different colors, however since they are usually specifically bred most breeders will produce slickbacks in unique colors.
