WorldAnimalFoundation.org is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
I’m very much a dog person and have owned one my whole life, but I’m also a staunch reptile lover, which seems to shock many people. But when you take a look at these gorgeous creatures, it’s really hard not to be drawn to them.
The bearded dragon is one of my favorite types of reptiles, and they vary so differently from each other; they truly have unique personalities that they put on display for everyone to see. If you’ve never experienced this for yourself, I would advise you to run, not walk, to the nearest breeder and enter the world of legal exotic pets.
These exotic creatures have had a home in the US since the 1990s, and there are several different types of morphs, a word to categorize the reptile’s physical characteristics. They’re pretty long, growing up to two feet long, though some, like the German giant, exceed that by a few inches.
If you’ve considered adopting one of these most popular pets, it’s important to understand the differences and what categorizes them as one morph over another.
Bearded dragons have become one of the most beloved pet lizards, thanks to their docile nature, friendly personalities, and the bond they form with their owners But beyond their gentle temperaments, another major draw is the incredible variety of morphs and colors that have been selectively bred.
What Are Morphs?
A morph refers to specific physical traits of a bearded dragon that differ from the classic “normal” or wild type. Morphs are produced through selective breeding to enhance or introduce distinctive characteristics like color, pattern, and scaling.
Some morphs, like hypo and leatherback, are caused by simple genetic mutations Others, like the popular “dunner” morph, required many generations of carefully choosing dragons with the desired traits to breed together There are even “designer” morphs that combine two or more genetic morphs, like the growing popularity of combining leatherback and hypo traits.
Common Bearded Dragon Morphs
Here are some of the most popular morphs among bearded dragon enthusiasts and breeders
Leatherback
The leatherback morph lacks the row of spikes running down the back that is characteristic of wild type dragons. Their smaller body scales also allow leatherbacks to display more vivid colors. About 40% of captive bred dragons are leatherbacks.
Hypo
The hypo (hypomelanistic) morph has reduced dark pigments, resulting in pastel, pale coloration and frequently opaque nails. Hypos tend to display brighter, lighter versions of base colors like yellows, oranges, and reds.
Silkback
Silkbacks take the reduced spiking and vivid colors of the leatherback to the extreme, with fine, smooth scales that feel silk-like. Their delicate skin requires more specialized care. Silkbacks make up around 15% of captive populations.
Dunner
Dunner morphs have a distinctive mottled scale pattern instead of stripes, thick tails, sideways projecting chin spikes, and cone-shaped body scales. They were specially bred by Kevin Dunner beginning in 1994.
Translucent
Translucent or “trans” morphs have black eyes and a blue tint visible through their pale bellies as babies. The partial translucence fades as they mature. Only 5% of captive dragons are trans.
Popular Bearded Dragon Colors
While morph refers to genetic traits, color in bearded dragons is also heavily influenced by selective breeding. Some of the most sought after shades include:
-
Reds – Breeding dragons with high red content over generations results in blood red and ruby specimens. About 20% of captive dragons have some degree of red coloration.
-
Oranges – Vibrant citrus and tangerine oranges with little brown are also prized. Oranges make up around 15% of the captive population.
-
Yellows – Selective breeding brings out lemon and gold shades. Yellows appear on 10% of captive dragons.
-
Whites – Rare white dragons can sell for high prices and are often confused with the incredibly scarce albino morph. Less than 5% of captive dragons are white.
-
Purples – Purple and blue dragons result from breeding translucent morphs. These unusual colors are seen on less than 1% of captive populations.
The Most Popular Combinations
Many bearded dragon enthusiasts seek out dragons that combine sought after morph genetics and vibrant selective breeding coloration. Some favorite examples include:
- Leatherback Hypo Red
- Hypo Translucent Yellow
- Silkback Orange
- Dunner Red
No matter what combination you prefer, there are endless possibilities when it comes to bearded dragon morphs and colors! Just be sure to research the specific care requirements of the morph you bring home.
/bearded-dragon-morphs-4173672final-3f2f06a11e554dbca3155e002603c12a.jpg)
Types of Bearded Dragon Morphs
There are 11 different types of bearded dragon morphs. Let’s take a closer look at each one of them and what they entail.
Albino and Leucism Dragons
Some people often confuse these terms, and it’s more common than you think! If you’re one of those, rest assured you’re in good company.
Albino bearded dragons don’t thrive. The word albino means that it produces no melanin at all. However, there are some born with this condition, but they do not live to adulthood. It can be confusing, especially since most people think of albinos as white, and there are white-bearded dragons.
Leucism means producing a reduced amount of melanin, which results in some color but not a lot. There are thriving morphs with Leucism. The zero and hypo are two such bearded dragon morphs.
Types of Bearded Dragons – Colors & Morphs Explained
FAQ
What is the rarest color of a bearded dragon?
These pattern-less dragons throw a variety muted colors and have no markings and they can be very expensive. Zero dragons are completely pattern-less and colorless, hence the “zero”. These dragons are startlingly white in color and are the new favorite in the breeding community.
What is the most expensive bearded dragon morph?
In the world of bearded dragons, the zero-morph bearded dragon is the most expensive bearded dragon. The price range of zero morphs bearded dragon is within $300-$900, whereas other bearded dragons cost around $40-$100.
What are normal colored bearded dragons?
BEARDED DRAGON COLORS
The most common base colors in captive breeding are Red and Yellow (aka Citrus). Although there are also less common colors including orange and white, we focus solely on producing vibrant citrus and red bearded dragons. The original bearded dragon’s from Australia are different shades of brown.
What is the most popular bearded dragon?
Pogona vitticeps is the most commonly kept as a pet and the one we’re talking about here. It is also known as the middle or inland bearded dragon. In addition to the diverse species, there are a variety of mutations known as morphs.
Are there different types of morphs for bearded dragons?
There are several types of discovered morphs for bearded dragons. Morph, in simple terms, describes the overall appearance of a beardie, scales, and body type. Some people use color and morph interchangeably, but morph is not color. The two are extremely different.
What is the base morph of bearded dragons?
Natural bearded dragon colors such as brown, tan and orange are considered to be the base morph. They are also known as the “wild type” by breeders. The term ‘morph’ refers to a dragon that has been selectively bred for a particular color or pattern.
What do bearded dragon morphs look like?
They have small spikes overspreading in the back and have a signature triangular head with a beard. Classic bearded dragon morphs are mostly brown or tan, but they can come with different colors ranging from red, yellow, and have orange and black markings. Classic bearded dragons are popular and tend to be cheaper than other morphs.
What are the most common red bearded dragon morphs?
The three most common red bearded dragon morphs are the red morphs with a brown base color and red patterns, and the highly sought-after nearly all red ones. Red bearded dragons have bright red patterns that range from orangey red to dark maroon.
What are some other colors of bearded dragons?
Some bearded dragons are also orange. White, gray, or silver bearded dragons are often Leucistic Morphs. Bearded dragons of these colors are bred when two dragons that have a white or very pale coloring are bred together. Albino Bearded Dragons and Snow Bearded Dragons are two of the types of dragons that have white, gray, or silver coloring.
What is a translucent bearded dragon morph?
As its name implies, the translucent bearded dragon morph is named as such due to its almost see-through spikes and scales. Translucent morphs are also commonly hypomelanistic so they are typically lighter in color.