Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey all - I got this little guy (or girl) at a reptile show recently, and I am trying to get an idea of what "he" will look like as an adult. I wish I had had more time to talk to the breeder, but it was packed, and he was a bit distracted. I asked him for something that would be bright yellow, mentioned "citrus" and he immediately picked up this guy. I didn't get a true "morph" identification, but he had some pretty snazzy silk and leatherbacks and didn't seem too shady, so I took his word. I paid $65 for him.

I have no regrets or concerns about the little dude, he's a pure pleasure to watch and interact with, and eats like a crazy person. He does get his "stress lines" under his chin and on his belly (and a bit dull/dark at times), but he can also appear quite yellow with a white belly (usually when I'm holding him). Just curious to see if I actually did end up with a true "citrus", or if he will just have a little more yellow to him than normal.

This is my first dragon, so while I've been doing my research, I've been having a hard time finding a good visual reference for a baby citrus. His yellows seem a tad dull to be a true citrus, based on what I've seen, but would love a second/expert opinion.

Thanks!

-Mike

And please forgive me if my understanding of and use of bearded dragon color/morph terminology is a bit out of tune... I'm still learning! Thanks again!

Really hard to say what he will look like. He does have some nice color now, which could either brighten with age or fade. Focus on husbandry and healthy diets etc..and he will grow up to be healthy.

Only real way to get an idea of what a baby would look like is to see the parents and older siblings from other clutches by the same parents, if possible.

As the show was really busy and the breeder had to focus on more than one customer (not to mention keeping an eye on his stock, its not uncommon for animals to be stolen off the tables at reptile shows) I can understand you didn't have alot of time to talk with the breeder. Probably would have been best to get his business card/email addy so you can correspond after the show.
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PHLdyPayne

Forum Princess

Oh shoot, thought I had responded. Sorry about that.

Thanks for the quick response. I figured as much, but thought it was worth a shot. 100% understand that the vendor was busy - never questioned his intentions at all. Ive had my own experience on the other side, breeding and selling corn snakes for almost 10 years, so I know what it's like. Business card would have been ideal, but the little guy seems to be thriving and colors seem to be getting brighter with each shed. At the rate he is growing, It's looking like I'll be purchasing a larger enclosure in just another month or two.

I've had corn snakes, leopard geckos, a red tegu, a sunbeam snake, and a ball python (down to just the tegu and ball now)... I'm surprised it's taken me this long to fall for the beardie. Couldn't be happier.

Thanks again for the input!

Mine looked exactly like that 8 months ago. Your not from Houston area you? I can post a picture of mine if you want to see him. He's more yellow now. The spots eventually fade in a few sheds.

Thanks for the response. He's a few months older now, and probably showing close to his "adult" colors. In his "relaxed" state, his patterns are fairly faded, his belly is almost a pure white, and he's a bright yellowy orange. When he's hungry or otherwise not as relaxed, he still gets his stomach stripes and turns a darker brownish rusty color with very defined orange and black spots on his back. I've attached two pictures showing his more "relaxed" coloring. Thanks again.

Our lizards could be twins. Here's mine first thing in the morning. He lightens up quite a bit like yours as the day goes along.

Wow, yes, they certainly could be. Just uploaded a color comparison: