Bearded dragons are amazing animals because they come in many different morphs and patterns. You can find super colorful dragons in shades of red and even blue, but you can also find bearded dragons in plain colors. However, sometimes, finding a blue bearded dragon seems to be too good to be true.
Bearded dragons can certainly have hints of blue in them, especially in the bars on their backs. However, if you find a picture of a bearded dragon on the internet that’s all blue, it’s most likely a scam.
Read on to learn more about whether or not bearded dragons can be blue and what morphs to look for. In addition, you’ll learn how to spot a potential scam so that you can protect yourself from spending hundreds on a fake dragon.
Can Bearded Dragons be Blue?
When you’re on the hunt for a dragon, you might want to find one that’s eye-catching and unique. In your search, you might stumble across an advertisement for a blue bearded dragon.
Unfortunately, bearded dragons can’t be completely blue, nor can they be bright blue. If you spot a picture where a dragon appears blue all over its body, it’s an edited photo. However, bearded dragons can definitely have some blue-ish bars on their back.
What are Blue Bar Bearded Dragons?
Blue-barred bearded dragons are a specific type of dragon morph, most often referred to as the “hypo-trans.” A bearded dragon being hypo-trans signifies these genes:
- Hypomelanotic. The bearded dragon lacks melanin. This gives it a light color all over its body. If a bearded dragon is really hypomelanotic, you’ll be able to tell via its claws. Normal dragons have black spots on their claws, but a hypo dragon’s claws should be completely clear.
- Translucent. This means that the dragon is very light in color, as in, almost see-through. The translucent trait typically goes hand in hand with the hypomelanotic trait, thus creating the perfect storm for some beautiful blue bars.
Genetics are Complicated
Sometimes, when pairing two dragons together, you’ll end up with a hypo-trans bearded dragon, even if its parents did not display the traits. That is what’s known as a “het” dragon.
Het bearded dragons can have the genes for blue bars, for example, but they might not display them. They could be het for either the hypo genes—perhaps they’re hypomelanotic but don’t have the 20 clear nails—or het for the transgene. If they’re het for one, there’s a good chance they’re het for the other too, since they’re so closely related.
Are Blue-Barred Bearded Dragons Rare?
Finding a bearded dragon with blue bars is kind of rare, but at the same time, it isn’t. Blue-barred bearded dragons are a rare sight in chain stores like PetSmart and Petco since they rarely carry anything that’s not brown/tan. However, if you choose to go through a breeder to get your dragon, you should be able to find one pretty easily.
Why Doesn’t my Dragon Look Blue?
Colors in dragons can get hazy, especially for babies. Blue-barred dragons can cost a pretty penny, so if you find that yours doesn’t really look blue, you might find cause for concern. Your blue-barred dragon might not look blue because:
- It’s getting close to shedding. As bearded dragons get closer to a shed, their top layer of skin peels away from the body. This can lead to some of its colors becoming dull and even appearing completely gray. If you think this may be the case, wait until after the shed is complete and re-evaluate.
- It’s stressed out. Bearded dragons change color as they get stressed. They become darker. When this happens, you’ll be able to tell by looking at its beard and underbelly. If you see blackness in the beard and black markings on the belly, that’s the issue.
- It’s getting older. The vibrancy of the blue on your bearded dragon can fade as it gets into adulthood. If you got your dragon from a sanctuary or rescue and are unsure of its age, this could be the cause.
- It’s not actually blue. Though this is the worst-case scenario for someone who bought a blue-barred dragon, it is always possible. If you’ve waited through more than two sheds and none of the blue has come through as promised, it might not have the genes.
Whatever the case may be, colors don’t impact your dragon’s personality, and they will be just as loveable. However, if you do think you’ve been given a fake blue-barred dragon, contact your seller. A seller worth their salt should provide you with specific information about the parents’ genes beforehand, but you can always double-check to confirm.
Can Any Scale Morph Have Blue Bars?
Another interesting part of selecting a dragon is finding the scale morph you want. There are a few popular options, like:
- Normal scale: the bearded dragon has spikes all over its back and sides.
- Leatherback: the bearded dragon has a smooth back but has spines on its sides.
- Silk-back: this bearded dragon has no scales anywhere
Fortunately, any of these morphs can be bred to be hypo-trans, and they can have blue bars.
Can Any Color Bearded Dragon Have Blue Bars?
Basically, every aspect of a bearded dragon can change, and color is no exception. Bearded dragons come in shades of:
- Yellow
- White
- Beige
- Orange
- Red
- Even black
All bearded dragons, regardless of color, can technically be het hypo-trans since they are recessive genes. However, you won’t be able to see the blue bars on darker dragons.
An important component of the trait is the lack of melanin, so if you have a black dragon, you will definitely not be able to see it. Typically, beige dragons don’t usually have blue bars, either, since they’re a bit darker. On a beige dragon, you’re more likely to see traces of grey and orange.
Most of the time, a blue-barred dragon will be red or yellow. These two colors are light and usually don’t have much beige/brown peeking through because of the hypo-melanism. As a result, most blue-barred dragons you’ll find on the market are either red or yellow, though the occasional white dragon may make an appearance.
Most white dragons, however, will just be white. If you do find a white dragon that looks blue, always ask to see photos in different lighting situations. Otherwise, it could be a manipulated photo.
Where Can I Get a Blue-Barred Bearded Dragon?
Since blue-barred dragons are a bit of a rarity, you might have a hard time finding the one for you. Luckily, though, there are places to go.
Pet Stores
Sometimes, chain pet stores can get in a shipment of blue-barred dragons. Usually, these will be in a tank and labeled as “fancy.” The fancy label doesn’t mean anything other than “it looks pretty, so we can charge you more.”
Be cautious when purchasing from pet stores, though, because you don’t have any way to know anything about their genetics.
If you do manage to find a blue-barred dragon here, it’ll usually cost between $50-$100.
Pet store dragons are also typically housed together, so if you choose a dragon from one of these stores, be sure to schedule a vet checkup quickly. A vet will be able to catch any issues like parasites, missing toes, or failure to thrive.
Something to note about pet stores is that they don’t carry silk-back bearded dragons, and they rarely carry leatherbacks. Typically, at your local chain pet store, the only scale morph you’ll find is normal. If that’s not what you’re looking for, you should pursue another path.
Breeders
Obtaining a bearded dragon of any kind through a reputable breeder is the safest option, hands down. Breeders make a conscious choice when putting dragons together based on genetics. They’ll be able to show you exactly who the parents are and what the rest of the hatchlings looked like. In addition, these dragons are typically kept in better condition than those bred for pet stores.
Going through a breeder also means you can probably find not only the blue bars you desire. You’ll be able to choose based on color and scale morph, too. In some cases, breeders don’t market bearded dragons until they can confirm their sex, so you’ll even get to make sure you’re getting the gender you want.
The only issue with bearded dragons from breeders, especially those with blue bars, is that they can be incredibly pricey. A blue-barred bearded dragon from a reputable breeder can go for anywhere between $200-$2000. It’s worth it if you want a surefire way to have a healthy dragon and avoid scams, but it’s still definitely an investment.
How Do I Know a Breeder is Reputable?
Unfortunately, there are lots of breeders out there who aren’t actually interested in creating cool, healthy dragons with unique genetics. Instead, they’re only interested in one thing: making money. These are known to the bearded dragon community as “backyard breeders” because they often just run their breeding business out of their own houses.
The major issue with these types of breeders is that they don’t make sure that their dragons are genetically compatible. They just throw dragons together, and that’s that. Not only are they unethical, breeding the same dragons over and over, but they can often lead to litters of hatchlings with serious genetic defects. To make sure your dragon breeder is reputable, you should:
- Check the reviews. Make sure there are reviews, first of all, and check to make sure they’re real. If they seem robotic and unnatural, it’s because they are. If you find a lot of negative reviews, steer clear.
- Check the photos. Many backyard breeders edit their photos to make their dragons seem more unique. This is where you might find pictures of bearded dragons in vibrant shades of blue, purple, or green. If you spot any photos like this or the same photo several times, it’s best to walk away.
- Check the parents. If a breeder doesn’t list the genetics on the listing for the dragon, ask. And if they don’t tell you and/or won’t show you photos of the parents, something is off.
- Check the prices. As amazing as it may seem to get a blue-barred dragon at a not-so-expensive price, it could be too good to be true. If someone is advertising a blue-barred dragon for less than $100, always ask for extra photos and proceed with caution.
Luckily, there are a lot of genuinely good and ethical bearded dragon breeders out there. The best way to find them is by either searching for online marketplaces or searching for breeders in bearded-dragon-focused Facebook groups. Most of these groups vet their breeders thoroughly and only allow approved, verified sellers to advertise their dragons to their members.
Rescues and Rehoming
Though it may seem unfathomable to have to tell your pets goodbye, sometimes it’s unavoidable. There are shelters and sanctuaries all over that you can visit in search of a blue-barred dragon. Typically, if you go for this option, you’ll find a less-hefty price tag. However, you might not be able to:
- Choose the morph you want
- Choose the gender you want
- Find younger/baby dragons
- Verify their genetics
There are several places you can go to find people rehoming their dragons: Facebook is home to many rehoming groups. Some groups don’t let the people rehoming the dragon charge any kind of fee, though others might. Misfortune doesn’t discriminate, so you can usually find bearded dragons of all morphs, ages, and genders in these groups.
Should I get a Blue Bearded Dragon from Craigslist?
Craigslist is a popular place for people to rehome their pets because they can charge a fee. Though you can sometimes find blue-barred dragons on Craigslist, it’s also a playground for scammers and backyard breeders.
If you find a dragon you like, ask for different pictures to verify that they really have that dragon, and it is the type they say it is. A safe bet is to ask them to write your name on a piece of paper and put the dragon on top of it. If they refuse, you should look elsewhere.
Avoid posters with multiple dragons listed. Having different dragons available on Craigslist at the same time could be indicative of someone who is hatching them out just to sell them. If you come across a listing like this and it’s in your area, you might even want to consider reporting it to your local animal control center. They’ll do a wellness check and shut down any backyard breeding rings.
Can I Breed my Own Blue-Barred Bearded Dragon?
Breeding your own dragons when you have no experience is not encouraged. While the process of making baby dragons is easy from a biological standpoint, the eggs require special conditions to be able to properly develop and hatch without issue.
If you have two bearded dragons that you know for a fact possess the genetic traits necessary to make a blue-barred bearded dragon, you can certainly consult with a breeder. Consulting a breeder means they will be able to confirm that:
- Your dragons have the genes.
- Your dragons are healthy, old enough, and ready to breed
- You have the proper setup
- You are ready to breed the dragons
Breeders are professionals. They will be able to tell you what you need and if it’s a good idea. In some instances, if they do think it’ll work well, they might even offer to breed them for you. After all, bearded dragons often lay clutches of 10+ eggs, and you don’t need that many. Working with a well-established breeder is the best way to breed your own bearded dragons.
Will My Blue Bearded Dragon Always Be Blue?
You likely paid a lot for your bearded dragon if it has blue bars, so you probably want it to stay that way. However, as they begin to grow up, their colors can fade over time. Little can be done to prevent this, unfortunately. To keep your dragon’s blue bars as vibrant as possible, you can:
- Give them regular baths. When you bathe them, you can scrub them with a soft-bristled toothbrush. That will remove the stuck shed, which may be causing discoloration.
- Keep them healthy. A bearded dragon’s colors can dull if they’re not receiving proper care, whether in their nutrition, lighting, or heat sources. Keeping up with their needs will keep their skin from dulling and, in some cases, shriveling up.
- Get an older one. If you find a bearded dragon who is over a year old and it still has its blue bars, it’s more likely to retain them through the rest of adulthood.
Beyond that, there’s nothing that can really be done. If a bearded dragon is going to lose its color, it will do that regardless of the conditions it’s being kept in. It’s just a risk you have to take when investing in your dragon.
Final Thoughts
Fully blue and bright blue bearded dragons are unfortunately not real. If they look blue all over, it’s because of lighting, photo manipulation, etc. Occasionally, you may find a white dragon with a slightly blue tinge, but it typically will not retain this color into adulthood. That said, you can purchase a blue-barred bearded dragon that has blue patterns on their backs.
Bearded dragons can have blue bars on their back if they possess the necessary genes. When you see a beautiful blue dragon, it can be easy to jump the gun, but you need to be careful when selecting the perfect one for you.