Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw this pic and read this after a long search...my question follows it

"The albino gene exists in the bearded dragon community but none of the animals born albino have survived past 9 or so months and they have extreme eye sight issues. The reason for the near 100% mortality rate with the albino gene in beardies is due to a catch 22 of sorts. Dragons need high levels of UV rays for good health and growth and the albino gene makes them very sensative to the light. It is believed that this is what causes their typically slow deterioration to death."

So my question is; Is there a way to raise them to adulthood? perhaps more like a nocturnal lizard and dusting the hell out of the crickets? Just as Ive heard that Translucents need more humidity/less light because of their skin/eye difference, there hopefully is some secret combination that could enable albino beardies to survive

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Bearded Dragons(1.2 orange, 0.2 red, 1.1 citrus mix)
Uromastyx(2.3.9 saharan/nigerian and 1.1 philbyi)
Box Turtles(5.10 yellow and orange easterns)
Gargoyle Geckos(0.1 red retic, 1.0 normal)
Frilled Dragon
Leopard Geckos(normal, red stripe, bell, vegas, jungle)

I think it is more than just extra sensitivity to UVB that causes the death of albino bearded dragons. It is possible to raise bearded dragons without any UVB light provided sufficient Vitamin D3 is provided in the diet via supplements.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

I agree...There are many other thriving albino sun loving reptiles out there like sulcattas, alligators, nile monitors, green iguanas, etc. New mutations like that usually aren't perfect the first shot. It will take some outcrossing and proper selection to improve the line.

The only issues I have ever had with uv bulbs and transluscents, is by using compact fluorescents. These bulbs will damage eyes, and blister normal beardeds. Other than that, I have raised hundreds of trans(and a few silks) outdoors under direct sunlight with no problems at all.

Josh

I can't speak for albinos, but translucents need no special care. I put them outside in the summer for a few hours a week, and also use compact floresents in my enclosures and have never had a problem. I hear about compact floresents being a problem all the time. A few years back, a bulb by one company was an issue. That has long been corrected.

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www.moonstonedragons.com

Do you remember the brand?

It's been a few years.

I used both ESU 7.0, and Zoomed's 10.0 compact fluorescents. When I first fired them up,the uv output was very high(more than direct sun) for about 2 weeks, then it would really go down. The uv was so high that a bunch of my dragons wouldn't even sit under them.

Now I just use tubes(zoomed 10.0, and exo terra 10.0). I have heard of people having problems with the exo terra bulbs too, but I haven't had any issues. Been using them for years.

Josh

RZilla
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www.moonstonedragons.com