Introduction
What is a citrus tiger bearded dragon? How is it different from other morphs? We all know that bearded dragons boast various colors, sizes, and even species. Experts have already discovered different reptile species, but only a few of them are considered pets.
In case you didn’t know, bearded dragons are of the class Reptilia and genus Pogona. Based on our research, experts believe many undiscovered species are still roaming around the Australian deserts today.
When it comes to morphs, bearded dragons have plenty, including the citrus tiger bearded dragon. We will give you all the important details that you need to know regarding this beardie for today’s topic. So, if you are planning to get one, please don’t leave and join us in the discussion below.
What Is a Citrus Tiger Bearded Dragon?
Citrus bearded dragons have been crossed into multiple bloodlines and colors, including hypo, translucent, hypo translucent, dunner, and leatherback morphs. They usually have a variety of patterns and dark stripes on their skin or scales, specifically yellow with a few mixtures of other colors.
So, why are they called citrus? Well, to make things simple, citrus refers to the yellow color. In the bearded dragon breeding and marketing business, experts need to come up with a catchy name that will not confuse some folk and fortunately, they thought of citrus tiger bearded dragon.
Aside from yellow, this morph can include other colors, such as green, tan and red. These are also the most common colors of bearded dragons available in most pet stores today. Nevertheless, call to mind that the tones, patterns, and shades on their backs will be slightly different. So, if you are eager to buy a bearded dragon with solid color, you must opt for a special breeding program, which is more costly than buying the available morph.
Whether you are after a pure citrus bearded dragon or not, it will surely cost you some money when hiring a breeder and having a special breeding program. Also, you will have to wait for months before getting the specific color you want.
The good news here is that many professional breeders can breed pure citrus tiger dragons. So, if you are planning to get one, you may need to start digging deep to find them.
In the wild, bearded dragons depend on their actual colors in their habitat. For instance, these animals will change colors to blend with their habitat regardless of whether they are citrus or not. It acts as camouflage, making it easier for them to hide, even predators, or catch prey, meaning their colors and scales can change anytime they want.
For that reason, you can expect that citrus tiger bearded dragons can change colors from their surroundings, which makes them more interesting! So, in the succeeding section, we will discuss additional details about a citrus tiger’s characteristics.
Characteristics of a Citrus Tiger Bearded Dragon
Remember that the descriptions discussed below are not set in stone, meaning some bearded dragons may not have the measurements, characteristics, and other characteristics mentioned below. Some do, but some won’t.
- Appearance
Citrus tiger bearded dragons are usually well-balanced, lean, and streamlined with grace and curves. They also have a proportionate head, neck, legs, and overall body.
- Head
When it comes to a head, citrus tigers have nothing special. Like other standard bearded dragons, this morph has a triangular head.
- Eye
A citrus tiger’s eye color varies from their parents. Some will have solid back eye color, while some will have brown or copper eyes.
- Color
Citrus tiger bearded dragons have a naturally yellow or yellowish color. However, some display a certain luminosity. You can expect their color patterns to vary from one beardie to the next. For instance, most citrus tigers will have yellow and red, while others have different colors.
Remember that a bearded dragon’s color does not affect its trait.
- Size
As explained earlier, some citrus tigers are bigger than others. However, their average male size is around 18 to 23 inches. Some will be shorter or longer, though. Females are usually 17 to 20 inches long.
How to Take Care of a Citrus Tiger Bearded Dragon?
Tip: Best basking lamp here.
Like other morphs, citrus tigers are active and sun-loving lizards that spend most time basking each day. They are also solitary and prefer to be housed on their own. If not, your pets will face aggression and dominance issues with each other.
When it comes to nutrition, citrus tigers can eat various live insects, vegetables, and fruits. Remember that hatchling and juvenile bearded dragons consume more insects (protein) than vegetables, while adults need more vegetables.
Some of the most sought-after live foods for citrus tigers are crickets, mealworms, silkworms, and woodies. Fruits and vegetables for this morph include kale, parsley, Asian greens, broccoli, squash, zucchini, apple, carrot, and beans.
Don’t forget fresh water and change it daily. We highly recommend misting water on your pet’s enclosure during hot days to help your beardie hydrate and lower temperature.
Some of the most frequent health issues among citrus tigers are:
- Intestine Parasites – all bearded dragons are susceptible to worms. So, make time to let your veterinarian conduct fecal checks and worming to your pet at least twice a year.
- Dysecdysis (Abnormal Shedding) – is a health issue that usually comes from low humidity levels, causing an incomplete shedding.
- Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) – is a calcium or vitamin D3 deficiency caused by an imbalanced diet or lack of enough UV lighting.
Tip: We highly recommend this UV lamp.
5 Common Behaviors of a Citrus Tiger Bearded Dragon
Understanding our pets is the key to making them healthy and happy. Regardless of whether you are a first-time keeper or not, it is crucial to understand their behaviors. This way, we can easily understand what our pets are trying to tell us.
Here are the top five behaviors of a citrus tiger.
- Head Bobbing
- New surroundings
- On-going stress
- Too much light
- Digging
- Pregnancy
- Brumation
- Temperature issues
- Glass Surfing
- Poor temperature
- Pregnancy
- Lack of space
- Surprise
- Boredom
- Poo
- Beard Puffing
- Fear or stress
- Shedding
- Anger
- Hissing
- Threatened
- New environment
How Much Is a Citrus Tiger Bearded Dragon?
A citrus tiger’s price depends on the breeder, color, and genetics. Usually, citrus tigers cost $100 – $200. They are more expensive than other morphs because their color dulling and brightening depends on their mood and environment.
Wrapping Up
Like other morphs, a citrus tiger bearded dragon prefers living in warm environments with something to climb on. This morph also has the same friendly personalities as standard beardies.
