Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hello, i am looking for some advice if you would be so kind. i had a beardy years ago. he was a rescue and i kept him for a year. truthfully, i found him a good home and have regretted getting rid of him ever since.

i am looking for some advice on picking a male that will end up with bright orange, hopefully yellow, and maybe purple as well. i personally don't really care for the faded looking dragons. i'm not looking to breed, just for a pet.

i have been looking and there are hundreds of different colors and morphs out there. any advice on getting a hatchling that will end up the brightest? i'm not familiar with which traits are dominant, recessive, or any of those other things. just trying to keep it simple and end up with a bright healthy beardy thanks...

jonathan

Be carful. Your search may take you down a very long road. Many people have gone through thousands of dragons and are still looking. There is a world wide race to produce what you want. Check out the classifieds for a start.

Every baby is different. The color will change depending on diet and lighting. Good luck.

that being said...i have a citrus that was WAY brighter when I first got him.... i recently got new lights for the year, but is there any certain foods that will enhance color?
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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)

Best way to find a dragon of the color you like, is to either buy yearlings or a full adult. This way you can see the color they possess. Buying babies can be bit of a luck of the draw, as some color up differently, even within the same clutch. Diet and amount of UVB light the dragon is exposed to also affects how well they 'color up' but this won't make a difference if the color isn't' there genetically.

If you really do want to buy a baby, then find a breeder in your area or at shows, where you can see the parents and even previous year's offspring. This will give you an idea what a baby from the same parents is likely to look like.

Another factor which can limit what you can get is how much you are willing to spend on a dragon. The really brilliant oranges etc are likely to be harder to find and more expensive. Keep in mind the dragon's actual cost is only a small fraction of the total cost in ensuring you have the proper setup. The adult cage will be expensive, especially if you just buy it...with a minimal cage size of 4'x2' of floor space...and a height between 18-24", can be hard to find at a local petstore. Building your own is best and often the cheapest way to go.

Check various breeder websites, the classified section here, even the sponsor banners for this forum and the businesses tab above, will lead you to many samples of dragons. Check the parents and research. If you want to buy a dragon online and have it shipped to you...this is a good way to do it. Also, keep in mind most breeders will start having babies hatching from April on..some may even have early clutches being laid now and over the next several months. Hold backs (dragons that typically are between 4-9 months old) could also come up on sale..and these often show good color and will maintain it. Some may lose it..but you will need to talk to the breeders. Don't be afraid to ask plenty of questions and ask to see pictures of adults from past clutches etc. Check their webpages, as often offspring from a particular colorful pair are kept to become breeders.

Lastly, be patient. IF you find nothing you like now...try again in a couple weeks. Available lists will change...and this time of the year, often very little is available...since all last seasons babies are likely to be sold off by now..and the new seasons babies are still in egg or yet to be born. But over the next several months and especially in the spring..more babies will be available. Now is a good time to research and save up money for both the dragon cost and if needed, shipping. Also the baby cage and adult cage, UVB lighting etc.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess