Have you ever seen a bearded dragon and thought to yourself, “Hey, that’s pretty fancy? Bearded dragons have become increasingly popular in the pet trade due to their friendly personalities and striking color patterns. There are many different morphs (or varieties) of beardies available, so it can be tough to know which one is right for you.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular types of bearded dragons and discuss what makes them unique. So if you’re considering adding a bearded dragon to your family, keep reading!

What are Fancy Bearded Dragons:

The term “fancy” is used to describe beardies that have been bred for specific physical traits. For example, there are fancy bearded dragons with bright colors, unusual patterns, or even different body types. While all bearded dragons make great pets, fancy beardies are often considered to be even more special. 

Regular bearded dragons are tan, beige, or light brown in color with muddy yellow patterns. Their hue and pattern are tailored for camouflage in Australia’s desert.

Fancy bearded dragons stand out with their dazzling orange and red displays, intricate zigzag patterns, and sleek spikes. They are a vision of beauty in the reptile world. These characteristics make them simple to detect, but they also make survival in the wild challenging.

The German Giant bearded dragon is an incredibly popular fancy lizard, sure to fascinate with its impressive size and stunning beauty. These beardies are bred for their large size and can grow to be up to two feet long. 

If you’re keen on having a pet with both charm and convenience, consider getting a Miniature Bearded Dragon. These unique lizards offer all the appeal of their larger counterparts in an adorably small package.

As the name suggests, these beardies stay small, only growing to be about eight inches long. They’re perfect for families with limited space or those who want a low-maintenance pet.

Appearance:

Bearded dragons come in a dazzling array of stunning colors and hypnotic patterns, from the classic red-orange combination to vibrant greens. Their diverse selection is sure to enchant any reptile enthusiast. Some fancy beardies also have blue or purple hues.

The patterns on fancy beardies can be just as varied as their colors. Common patterns include stripes, spots, and swirls. Except for one notable exception, most fancy bearded dragons are the same size as conventional bearded dragons. Bearded dragons can grow to be 15 to 20 inches long in the wild.

Temperament:

Bearded dragons are generally gentle and docile creatures. They enjoy being around people and are often described as being “friendly.” Fancy bearded dragons are no different in this regard. 

Health:

Fancy bearded dragons are just as healthy as regular beardies. Bearded dragons are remarkable reptiles, boasting a lifespan of up to 12 years when cared for correctly.

While they’re resilient and easygoing pets, these fascinating creatures can be prone to health issues if not well taken care of.

The most common health problem for beardies is a metabolic bone disease. This condition is caused by a lack of calcium and vitamin D3 in the diet.

Metabolic bone disease can lead to deformities and fractures. It’s important to consult with a reptile veterinarian to ensure that your fancy bearded dragon is getting the proper nutrition.

Care:

Fancy bearded dragons require the same care as regular beardies. To ensure a healthy and happy life, these animals should be housed in an enclosure of 40 gallons or more. The enclosure should have a basking area, a hiding spot, and plenty of space to roam.

Bearded dragons may look cute and cool, but these critters come from some of the hottest places on earth. Native to austere arid climates, they thrive in environments with warm temperatures.

The basking area should be kept at 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and the ambient temperature of the enclosure should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Bearded dragons require full-spectrum lighting to stay healthy. This type of lighting can be provided with a basking bulb and a fluorescent tube. Bearded dragons are intriguing creatures with unique dietary and health requirements.

In addition to their omnivorous diet of fruits, vegetables, and live insects they need daily exposure to UVB radiation – provided by either a special reptile bulb or fluorescent tube in order to prevent metabolic bone disease.

It’s essential that owners understand these needs when caring for this captivating species. Bearded dragons should be fed once or twice a day. They should also have access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Fancy bearded dragons are just as easy to care for as regular beardies. A pet can bring so much joy and love to a household, especially to families with kids. By investing time in providing the necessary care, these animals make excellent companions that children of all ages will adore.

Breeding:

Selective breeding is the process of mating two Bearded Dragons with the desired trait to produce offspring with the same traits. To raise the intensity, the offspring are bred with other offspring who carry the same trait. This process is done over several generations until the desired trait is fixed in the population.

The most common traits that are bred for in fancy bearded dragons are color and pattern. However, some breeders have also developed new body types, such as German Giants and Miniature Bearded Dragons.

If you’re interested in breeding fancy bearded dragons, it’s important to consult with a reptile veterinarian or experienced breeder to ensure that you are providing the proper care for your animals.

Breeding for fancy traits is not always easy. Many species like the Silk back have health problems and a shorter lifespan, so it’s important to know what you’re getting into when buying from a breeder with this reputation.

Healthy dragons are bright alert active; they should also be strong on their legs without any retained shed or obvious signs of illness such as red eyes- these can indicate poor quality scales which will cause skin irritation.

Price:

Fancy bearded dragons typically cost between $100 and $300. This price range can vary depending on the specific type of fancy beardie, as well as the breeder or store you purchase from. Bearded dragons are generally less expensive than other reptiles, such as snakes or lizards. 

Do Fancy Bearded Dragons Make Good Pets?

Yes! Fancy bearded dragons make great pets for families of all sizes. With its long lifespan, minimal health concerns, and gentle nature. The ancient-looking pet will be a beloved companion for any family. Particularly children who’ll appreciate having it around.

How to Take Care of Fancy-Bearded Dragons

Habitat:

Fancy bearded dragons should be kept in an enclosure that is at least 40 gallons in size. The enclosure should have a basking area, a hiding spot, and plenty of space to roam.

The basking area should be kept at 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and the ambient temperature of the enclosure should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bearded dragons require full-spectrum lighting to stay healthy. This type of lighting can be provided with a basking bulb and a fluorescent tube. Bearded dragons aren’t just adorable; they need special care, too.

Providing access to UVB radiation is critical in keeping them healthy and preventing metabolic bone disease. A reptile bulb or fluorescent tube will do the trick.

Diet:

Bearded dragons have quite the appetite! To ensure their health and happiness, they need a balanced diet that includes both fresh veggies and fruits as well as crunchy critters like live insects. Bearded dragons should be fed once or twice a day. They should also have access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Lighting:

Bearded dragons require full-spectrum lighting to stay healthy. This type of lighting can be provided with a basking bulb and a fluorescent tube. They require UVB radiation to keep them healthy. This can conveniently be provided with a special reptile bulb or fluorescent tube.

Substrate:

The substrate is the material used to line the bottom of the enclosure. Some good substrates for bearded dragons include newspapers, reptile carpets, and paper towels.

Shelter:

This can be provided with a cardboard box, commercial reptile hide, or anything else that will fit in the enclosure and provide the dragon with a sense of security. Bearded dragons enjoy basking, thus their enclosure should include a basking area. This can be provided with a basking rock or log.

How To Identify A Fancy-Bearded Dragon

The term “fancy” is used to describe beardies that have been bred for specific physical traits. For example, there are fancy bearded dragons with bright colors, unusual patterns, or even different body types.

While all bearded dragons make great pets, fancy beardies are often considered even more special. Regular bearded dragons are tan, beige, or light brown in color with muddy yellow patterns.

The inverse is also true. A beardie may be incorrectly described as common when it is actually fancy! The term “fancy” does not have an official definition.

So, how do you tell if a bearded dragon is common or rare? The simplest approach to identifying a fancy is to glance at its color or pattern.

These are the decisive factors:

– Unusual or muted colors

– Absent or very faint patterns

– A change in pattern over the course of the dragon’s life

– Different body types

Fancy bearded dragons can be any color that falls outside of the usual tan, beige, and light brown. They may also have different patterns, such as stripes or spots. Some fancy beardies even change color as they age! Body type is another way to tell if a bearded dragon is fancy.

Some breeders have developed dwarf varieties that stay smaller than regular beardies. There are also “leatherbacks”, which have a reduced amount of scales on their backs. These physical traits make fancy bearded dragons stand out from their more common cousins.

While fancy bearded dragons may cost more than regular beardies, they are definitely worth the extra money. These unique creatures make amazing pets and are sure to bring joy to their owners!

Common Health Issues in fancy bearded dragons

Metabolic bone disease is the most common health issue in bearded dragons. This disease is caused by a lack of vitamin D and calcium in the diet and can lead to soft bones and deformities.

Impaction can be a serious affliction for dragons, caused by ingesting something their bodies simply cannot process. It requires immediate attention to prevent any permanent damage.

Sand is the most common cause of impaction, but any substrate that can be eaten can cause this problem. Bearded dragons also sometimes suffer from respiratory infections, which are usually caused by stress or a dirty enclosure.

Fancy bearded dragons are just as susceptible to these health problems as regular beardies. However, their unusual colors and patterns can make them even more stress-resistant. Therefore, it is important to take extra care of fancy bearded dragons to ensure that they stay healthy and happy!

While fancy bearded dragons may be more delicate than regular beardies, they are still great pets. With careful attention, beloved pets can bring joy and companionship to owners for years! 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, fancy bearded dragons are great pets that come in a variety of colors, patterns, and sizes. They may be more susceptible to stress and health problems than regular beardies, but with a little extra care, they will be happy and healthy. So if you’re looking for a unique pet, consider getting a fancy bearded dragon!

FAQs

1. What is the difference between a fancy bearded dragon and a regular bearded dragon?

The main difference is that fancy bearded dragons have been bred for specific physical traits, such as bright colors, unusual patterns, or different body types. While all bearded dragons make great pets, fancy beardies are often considered to be even more special.

2. How can you tell if a bearded dragon is fancy?

There is no official definition of the term “fancy”, but you can usually tell if a bearded dragon is fancy by its color, pattern, or body type. Fancy beardies can be any color that falls outside of the usual tan, beige, and light brown.

They may also have different patterns, such as stripes or spots. Some fancy beardies even change color as they age! Body type is another way to tell if a bearded dragon is fancy.

Some breeders have developed dwarf varieties that stay smaller than regular beardies. There are also “leatherbacks”, which have a reduced amount of scales on their backs.

3. Are fancy bearded dragons more expensive than regular beardies?

Yes, fancy bearded dragons usually cost more than regular beardies. Unique and exotic, these animals make perfect companions – a delightful addition to any household. Not only do they bring lots of joy, but are also worth the extra splurge.

4. Do fancy bearded dragons require any special care?

While fancy bearded dragons may be more delicate than regular beardies, they do not require any special care. Just be sure to provide them with a clean and spacious enclosure, plenty of hiding spots, and a healthy diet. 

5. What are some common health problems in fancy bearded dragons?

The most common health problem in bearded dragons is a metabolic bone disease. This disease is caused by a lack of vitamin D and calcium in the diet and can lead to soft bones and deformities. Impaction can be a serious affliction for dragons, caused by ingesting something their bodies simply cannot process. 

Bearded dragons also sometimes suffer from respiratory infections, which are usually caused by stress. While fancy bearded dragons are just as susceptible to these health problems as regular beardies, their unusual colors and patterns can make them even more susceptible to stress. 

This is because they are often kept in smaller enclosures and handled more frequently than regular beardies. Therefore, it is important to take extra care of fancy bearded dragons to ensure that they stay healthy and happy!

6. What should I do if my fancy bearded dragon gets sick?

Bearded dragons are prone to a variety of health problems, so it is important to get a diagnosis and treatment from a professional. Your vet will be able to determine whether or not your dragon has a health problem and provide the appropriate treatment.

In some cases, home care may be all that is necessary. However, serious health problems often require medication or even surgery. So if you think that your fancy bearded dragon is sick, don’t hesitate to take it to the vet!