Bearded Dragons Types, Colors, and Species

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.

Bearded dragon offspring from breeding two bearded dragons with different traits.

Bearded dragon offspring from breeding two bearded dragons with hypomelanism traits. Generally the offspring are lighter in color and have a significant reduction of dark colors in the skin, eyes, and nails.

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.

Bearded dragons that lack dark colors and have slightly transparent/translucent skin.

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 dependent on the traits of bearded dragon which it was bred with).

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).

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.

Bearded dragons that show the hypomelanism trait, yet carry (and don't display) the translucent traits.

Bearded dragons that show the translucent trait, yet carry (and don't display) the hypomelanism trait.

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 size 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.

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.

iStock.com/Victor Pulido

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 silkbacks in unique 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.

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 below categories.

Red Bearded Dragon Coloring

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 names breeders may use to indicate a "red" colored bearded dragon:

These are beardies that are bred to have a very deep dark red coloring. Normally they have dark red with some brown accents.

iStock.com/PetlinDmitry

These are beaded dragons that are almost entirely red. When looking closely you'll notice the red appearance comes from a mix of red and dark orange scales. Sometimes the red and orange can create a fiery effect which some breeders describe as "ruby bearded dragons".

iStock.com/primipil

Below are names that imply a mix of red with other colors

• Sandfire red bearded dragon
• Orange bearded dragon
• Citrus tiger bearded dragon
• Sunburst bearded dragon
• Tangerine bearded dragon

Yellow Bearded Dragon Colors

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. Some common names bearded dragons use to imply a yellow coloring include:

Citrus beardies have solid yellow and dark yellow coloring pattern. These dragons should not have any red accents.

iStock.com/slpu9945

Lemon fire dragons have a vibrant yellow coloring sometimes mixed with white accents. They often have very vivid coloring making them almost seem as if they are burning or glowing.

iStock.com/Daniel Hanscom

Gold beardies have a mixture of light yellow, tan, and dark yellow coloring. This mix gives them a gold-like appearance.

iStock.com/JTGrafix

Any bearded dragon that has more yellow coloring than any other color is considered "yellow". Sometimes specialty breeders, like Sandfire dragons, will produce offspring with a unique color pattern which they will name after themselves. Below is an example of a "yellow" bearded dragon.

iStock.com/iluhanos

Below is a list of names that indicate yellow mixed with other colors:

• Sandfire red bearded dragon
• Orange bearded dragon
• Citrus tiger bearded dragon
• Sunburst bearded dragon
• Tangerine bearded dragon

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 names breeders use to describe a "white" bearded dragon:

• Albino bearded dragon
• Snow bearded dragon

iStock.com/varunyu suriyachan

Standard Coloring

Bearded dragon's natural coloring generally consists of a mix of green, tan, yellow, and red colors. Most bearded dragons come in these shades. Solid colored dragons are usually only available from selective breeders.

There are nine 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.

Eastern bearded dragon, Yathong Nature Reserve, New South Wales, AustraliaJJ HarrisonCC BY-SA 3.0

Pogona Henrylawsoni

Known as Lawsons bearded dragon, they are usually found in the western and central parts of Queensland, Australia.

Pogona Microlepidota

Known as the Drysdale river bearded dragon, these are very rare and are usually found in North Kimberley Australia.

Pogona Minor Minor

Known as the Dwarf bearded dragon, they are rare and are usually found in Western or central Australia.

Pogona Minor Minima

Known as the Western bearded dragon, these rare lizards are found in Western Australia and along the Houtman Albrohos Islands.

Benny TrappCC BY-SA 4.0

Pogona Minor Mitchelli

Known as Mitchells bearded dragon, these rare lizards are found in North Western Australia.

Pogona Nullarbor

Known as the Nullarbor bearded dragon, they can be found in South Australia.

Pogona Vitticeps

Known as the Central bearded dragon, they can be found in Central Australia. This is the species kept as pets.