1. Standard/Wild Type
The wild type bearded dragon is the standard form, showcasing the traits common to those found in their natural habitats in Australia. They typically possess a rough, spiky appearance with a mixture of earthy colors such as tan, brown, and gray.
2. Leatherback
The Leatherback mutation occurs due to a co-dominant gene that affects the dragon's scales, giving them a smoother, less spiky appearance. The reduced scalation leads to enhanced color and pattern visibility, making this morph popular among enthusiasts.
3. Italian Leatherback
The Italian Leatherback is a specific strain of the co-dominant leatherback mutation, bred initially in Italy. This type has even smaller scales than the typical Leatherback, leading to a softer and smoother texture and further accentuating their coloration but there is a lot of variation to each dragons scale size.
4. American Leatherback (aka American Smoothie)
The American Leatherback morph is another variant of the Leatherback mutation, developed in the United States. Unlike the Italian Leatherback, the scales of the American Leatherback aren't as small but still smoother than the standard bearded dragon, allowing for more vibrant color displays.
5. Micro-scale
Micro-scale bearded dragons, often considered a type of leatherback, have the smallest scales of all. These are the result of breeding a co-dominant leatherback with an American leatherback. They almost lack noticeable scales, which results in a skin texture that's quite smooth to touch and provides an even greater enhancement to color and pattern visibility.
6. Silkback (Silkie)
The Silkback, or Silkie, is a mutation resulting from breeding two co-dominant Leatherback dragons. Silkbacks lack scales entirely, giving their skin a smooth, silky texture. This unique feel and their intense colors make them attractive, but they require extra care, including regular moisturization and protection from harsh UV light, as their skin is sensitive.
7. Hypomelanistic
Hypomelanistic, or Hypo, bearded dragons have reduced melanin, leading to less dark pigmentation in their scales. Hypo dragons have lighter colors overall and clear nails, compared to the typically dark nails of regular dragons.
8. Translucent (Trans)
Translucent, or Trans, bearded dragons exhibit a translucent appearance in their scales when they're young, hence the name. This trait may become less evident as they age. Trans dragons often have a slightly bluish tint to their bellies and display black or "solid" eyes, adding to their unique visual appeal.
9. German Giant
The German Giant is a result of selective breeding for size. These dragons can grow about 50% larger than the standard bearded dragon, with some reaching up to 30 inches in length. The German Giant is not a color or pattern mutation but a size mutation. These have not been seen in two decades.
10. Dunner
Dunner bearded dragons, named after their original breeder Kevin Dunn and first produced around 2010, exhibit unique scale patterns. Unlike regular dragons, their scales point in different directions, giving them a disordered or messy appearance. Dunners also have spotted patterns along their entire body, including their belly, which is usually plain in other morphs. One unique thing the dunner bearded dragons will do is hold food in their throats. I'm not sure why, and not all dunners do this, but it is not uncommon.
11. Zero or Hypo-Zero
The Zero morph is an interesting genetic mutation where the bearded dragon lacks patterns and colors, resulting in a fully white or silver appearance. A Hypo-Zero combines the traits of a Zero and a Hypo, displaying a bright white color due to the lack of dark pigmentation. Created in Germany in 2013, the first zeros had black eyes, similar to the translucent, but this characteristic is no longer present in today's zeros.
12. Witblits
The Witblits bearded dragon is similar to the Zero morph, as they also lack patterns. However, instead of being white or silver, Witblits dragons are typically a uniform tan or gray color. Witblits, which means "white lightning" in Afrikaans, were first bred in South Africa around 2010.
13. Paradox
Paradox bearded dragons are an anomaly and not a reproducible morph. They display irregular and unpredictable patches of colors, contrasting with their primary color. This spontaneous color variation makes every Paradox dragon unique. Almost only occurs when the translucent gene is present.
14. Wero
The Wero is a combination of the Witblits and Zero morphs. These dragons possess a patternless white appearance, combining the best traits of both morphs. However, as a relatively new mutation, Wero dragons are still rare and might be challenging to find.
15. Genetic Stripe
Lastly, the Genetic Stripe bearded dragon shows two clear, defined stripes running down the length of the dragon's back. This morph is dominant but was also developed or enhanced through selective breeding, with the stripe's visibility and clarity varying among individual dragons. Some of these animals have pied markings (white blotches).
Each of these bearded dragon mutations presents a fascinating exploration into the world of reptilian genetics. Remember that regardless of the mutation, each bearded dragon deserves proper care and attention to live a healthy and happy life.
*Disclaimer: It's essential to remember that breeding certain morphs, particularly those with sensitive skin like the Silkback, can result in health issues for the offspring. Always prioritize the health and wellbeing of your pets above aesthetic appeal.*