Zero morph bearded dragon since the 1990s, bearded dragons have been bred and kept as beloved pets in the United States. Over time, breeders have identified 11 distinct morphs showcasing a variety of colors, patterns, and physical traits. While some resemble the typical brown hue of wild bearded dragons, others boast strikingly exotic appearances.
Whether you’re a novice to the world of bearded dragons or an experienced Dragon Keeper seeking to expand your reptile family, familiarizing yourself with each morph can be immensely beneficial. However, navigating the vast array of options can feel daunting. That’s why we’ve compiled this beginner’s guide to bearded dragon morphs and colors. As you delve into this fascinating realm, remember that reputable breeders are invaluable sources of further insight and information.
What Is a Bearded Dragon Morph ?
As you begin exploring the diverse colors and physical traits of bearded dragons, you’ll frequently encounter three key terms: morph, pattern, and color. Understanding the distinctions between these terms is crucial to avoid confusion.
So, what exactly is a bearded dragon morph?
The term “morph” pertains to the dragon’s physical attributes—essentially, the overall appearance and size of the dragon. A morph can encompass physical traits such as length as well as visual characteristics like pattern or coloration. Sometimes, morphs are also referred to as “scaling morphs,” indicating a morph that influences the scales of the bearded dragon. Technically, this falls within the realm of a physical morph zero morph bearded dragon.
Bearded Dragon Color and Pattern
“Pattern” is generally used to refer to three different visual or physical attributes of your dragon:
- It can denote the intricate designs adorning the scales of a dragon—ranging from brown spots to tiger stripes.
- It can also denote the orientation of the scales—whether they lie vertically or horizontally.
- It can also indicate the orientation of the spikes, which are separate from the scales.
“Colour” or “coloration” encompasses the overall hue or hues and intensity of a bearded dragon’s appearance. It’s perhaps the simplest of the three definitions provided here!
Types of Bearded Dragon Patterns
There isn’t a widely accepted standard for defining or describing bearded dragon patterns. As the Bearded Dragon Lady notes in her blog, Breeders can call a color and pattern whatever they want; it is truly a matter of opinion. Morph, however, is not.
Despite the lack of standardization, certain common elements frequently appear across various bearded dragon morphs:
- Stripes, which usually run horizontally along the back but can also appear vertically on some morphs
- Spots or blotches in various patterns
- Spikes or scales oriented in different directions
- Spikes or scales aligned in the same direction
Types of Bearded Dragon Morphs
Bearded dragon morphs can be categorized into two types: scaling morphs and visual morphs. Scaling morphs influence the dragon’s scales, while visual morphs impact color and pattern. A morph can encompass both scaling and visual characteristics.
Presenting the 11 distinct bearded dragon morphs:
- . Standard. As the most common bearded dragon morph, this one matches the typical image that comes to mind when you think of a bearded dragon. It features a yellow, brownish, or tan color, a triangular-shaped head, black nails, and rigid, rubbery scales running horizontally across its back.
- German Giant. As the name implies, the German Giant is significantly larger than a standard bearded dragon. This rare morph can reach lengths of up to 25-30 inches.
- Leatherback. The leatherback, named for its smooth, leathery skin, features fewer and shorter spikes compared to a standard morph. Some individuals may even lack spikes altogether. Additionally, their scales are smaller than those of a typical bearded dragon, resulting in a smooth texture. Despite this, their coloration and patterns are often vibrant.
- . Dunner. The dunner morph stands out with its unique visual and scaling patterns, making it both a visual and physical morph. Unlike other morphs, dunners typically have an abundance of scales that point outwards in various directions rather than following a uniform orientation. Its visual pattern, seen along the back and tail, features spots created by scales of different colors.
- Hypo. Short for hypomelanistic, a hypo is defined by its reduced pigment levels—enough to render them notably light and pale in color. Hypos usually exhibit clear nails instead of black ones. While they may possess a visual pattern, it appears faded in comparison.
- Zero. A zero lacks both color and pattern, perfectly fitting their name. Zeros can either be hypo zeros or non-hypo zeros. As noted by 7th Galaxy Dragons, hypo zeros tend to display a paper-white appearance, whereas non-hypo zeros lean towards a silver and gray hue.
- Witblits. This morph exhibits a pale and patternless appearance. While witblits can display coloration, it often appears washed out or faded.
- Wero. This morph combines features of a visual zero and a witblit, hence the name “wero.” Unlike witblits, which may display coloration, weros have no coloration.
- Translucent. Also referred to as “Trans,” this morph earns its name due to an unmistakable characteristic: their scales and spikes appear gelatinous and nearly transparent. The colors of a translucent bearded dragon are often vividly visible through their clear scales. In their infancy, they may sport solid black eyes and blue eyelids.
- Paradox. This morph is exceptionally rare and visually striking. The paradox showcases patches or speckles of color reminiscent of splattered paint. These color patterns can range from vibrant to subdued and may appear symmetrically or asymmetrically distributed.
- Silkie. Named for their sleek and smooth skin, silkies lack scales entirely. This poses a significant disadvantage as bearded dragons rely on scales to safeguard themselves from harm during their daily activities zero morph bearded dragon.
Are Silkie Bearded Dragons Unethical to Produce ?
Silkback bearded dragons necessitate specialized care and are highly susceptible to severe injuries. Even mildly sharp objects can easily harm them, and without daily baths, they risk losing parts of their tail or toes due to shed skin becoming stuck.
The silkie morph significantly compromises a bearded dragon’s quality of life, making breeding silkies widely viewed as unethical.
Here B Dragons succinctly explains: All reptiles possess skin. Scales grow out of the top layer of their skin, akin to how hair grows from the skin of mammals and feathers from that of birds. These scales provide protection, and the underlying skin is not intended to be exposed. … The silkback condition should be recognized as a genetic anomaly because it impedes their ability to lead a normal, healthy life.