Introduction
What is a zero bearded dragon morph? When we think about bearded dragons, we usually picture a tanned or sandy-colored little reptile. Well, you may be surprised that this species can come in various colors and patterns, and we call it morphs or mutations. Other reptiles, such as geckos, also come in different mutations.
So, what is a morph? A morph describes what a bearded dragon looks like, such as its body type, size, color, spike, head shape, and more. For that reason, some bearded dragons can fetch a hefty price from breeders and are less commonly seen than other mutations. Hence, we highly recommend you be educated and prepared before purchasing a bearded dragon.
Often, we encounter the standard or classic bearded dragon morph. This type has small spikes and large triangular heads. Usually, these little dragons come in a wide variety of colors, such as red, yellow, and tan, with orange and back patterns or markings. Since this morph is commonly seen, it is the least expensive bearded dragon mutation to purchase.
Zero Bearded Dragon Morphs
Today, we will talk about the zero bearded dragon morph. This morph is possibly one of the unique types of this reptile, and they are more expensive than other morphs. Besides that, these cute reptiles have unique physical appearances which set them apart from others.
To ease your mind, we created a comprehensive guide to a zero bearded dragon morph. It may not seem like a big deal, but understanding this morph is crucial, especially if you are planning to purchase one, to ensure you can provide all the requirements that this morph needs.
What Is a Zero Bearded Dragon Morph?
A zero bearded dragon morph is an extremely rare mutation. It completely lacks patterns and colors, making the skin almost white. It means that this morph does not have the usual markings, such as colors, and patterns, that a standard or classic bearded dragon has.
According to the reptile experts, the lack of markings is a recessive trait. Therefore, zero bearded dragon morphs are usually gray, silver, or almost white, called hypo melanistic zero morphs. However, we can call the hypo melanistic zero morphs the “snow bearded dragons”.
Zero bearded dragons are quite rare, making them more expensive than other morphs.
To a certain extent, zero bearded dragons can change their colors depending on their mood, which is similar to a classic beardie. It means that they can change color depending on their mood. Usually, these reptiles can darken their beards when they are territorial or aggressive.
Zero Bearded Dragon Health
If you don’t know yet, bearded dragons can experience health issues associated with their morphs and unique traits. For instance, a bearded dragon with fewer scales needs extra care on its skin because it is more prone to injuries than a classic bearded dragon due to lack of protection.
Plus, zero morphs also tend to suffer from missing toes and nails. They also need softer UVB lighting and moisturizers to assist in shedding. We highly suggest keeping the UV lamp at <3.0 UVI and setting it up to cover only half of the enclosure. Besides that, the heating lamp should not be too close to the tank’s flooring.
So, before purchasing a particular bearded dragon morph, it is crucial to learn and understand the possible health issues that it may encounter. If you have a proper understanding, you can also prepare yourself to take care of it properly. If not, your pet will struggle with a shorter lifespan.
If you are interested in keeping a zero bearded dragon morph, make sure to get in plenty of research and talk with established and reputable breeders in your community. Keep in mind that carelessly adopting a bearded dragon can lead to poor quality of life, and your pet may not thrive at all.
What Does a Zero Bearded Dragon Morph Eat?
Zero bearded dragon morphs can eat various vegetables and live foods, such as crickets, mealworms, and king worms. We know that classic bearded dragons eat more insects than plants in the wild. But unfortunately, it is unhealthy for them. Hence, we must ensure that vegetables make up about 75% of their diet and the remaining 25% is for insects.
Tip: Planning to replace your pet’s feeders? Check this out!
Remember that our bearded dragons’ diet should replicate what they eat in the wild. However, as our little pets get older, we need to reduce their protein intake as they would not get as much exercise as the younger beardies. Too many insects and other meat can lead to obesity and a shorter lifespan.
Some of the healthiest insects for bearded dragons are
- King worms
- Butter worms
- Silkworms
- Crickets
- Phoenix worms
- Cockroaches
- Dubia roaches
- Super worms – strictly for ADULT bearded dragons only.
- Locusts
When it comes to fruits, bearded dragons can only eat occasionally since these foods are very sugary and can quickly lead your pet to obesity. You should also avoid all citrus fruits since these can easily upset a bearded dragon’s stomach.
Some of the best fruits as treats for bearded dragons are:
- Watermelon
- Peaches
- Apples
- Papaya
- Figs
- Dates
- Strawberries
- Guava
- Blueberries
- Grapes
- Apricots
We highly recommend all bearded dragon owners exercise caution when feeding fruits to their pets since it can also cause teeth problems.
When it comes to vegetables, zero bearded dragon morphs can eat:
- Peas
- Green beans
- Butternut squash
- Sweet potato
- Bell pepper
- Okra
- Broccoli (small bits weekly)
- Acorn squash
- Cabbage
- Kohlrabi
- Parsnip
- Pak choi
- Dandelion greens
- Turnip greens
- Mustard greens
- Endive
- Rocket
- Coriander
- Watercress
You will need to prepare all veggies by cutting them down into bite-sized pieces before feeding them to your bearded dragon. If you will feed live insects, make sure they are clean. Also, always get your bearded dragon checked out if he or she experiences digestive problems. This way, your veterinarian can give expert advice about the appropriate diet for your pet.
What Can’t Zero Bearded Dragon Morphs Eat?
At first glance, planning a bearded dragon’s appropriate diet can seem complicated. However, the only key to establishing a healthy diet for your beardie is to know which foods are not allowed for them.
If you stick with the foods listed above, you should be fine. But there are still some foods that our little reptiles cannot eat. Keep in mind that all items listed below are harmful. Hence, as owners, it is our responsibility to ensure they will never consume these foods.
Here are the foods that bearded dragons cannot eat:
- Onion
- Celery
- Mushroom
- Iceberg lettuce
- Spinach
- Lemon
- Orange
- Chives
- Avocados
- Rhubarb
- Fireflies
All insects captured outside your home or in the wild
Besides these foods, bearded dragons should not eat any seafood, including prawns.
Also, our team discovered some wild poisonous plants for beardies, and they are the following:
- Crocus
- Daffodil
- Holly
- Horse chestnut
- Ivy
- Oak
- Poppy
- Buttercup
- Bracken Fern
All in all, if you are not 100% sure if a particular food is safe for your pet, don’t give it.
Finally, if your pet’s tank has a sand substrate, ensure that your beardie will not eat or consume it. If consumed, the sand can cause n impaction, meaning it will build up inside your pet’s digestive system and cause blockage. Even calcium sand is dangerous because it can also lead to impaction.
Tip: We highly recommend this reptile carpet for substrates.
What Are the Best Live Foods for Zero Bearded Dragons?
Crickets and mealworms are the most sought-after live foods for zero bearded dragons because they are widely available in most pet stores worldwide and online. Most owners prefer live crickets because bearded dragons love chasing them and are very stimulating.
We also recommend mealworms because they are cheaper than other insects and can be stored in or out of the fridge. If you place them in the fridge, these live foods can last a little longer but will go into a dormant state. Nevertheless, keep in mind that mealworms have higher fat content than crickets. So, make sure you don’t give your little dragon too many since it will surely make him or her fat!
Aside from crickets and mealworms, other recommended live foods for zero bearded dragons are locusts and cockroaches.
How Much Is a Zero Bearded Dragon Morph?
Since zero bearded dragons are extremely rare, they can cost around $300 to $800. If you prefer a hybrid between a witblit and zero beardies, it would cost you around $300 to $700.
When setting up a zero bearded dragon’s home, your budget should be around $200 up to $1,100. This range depends on the quality and size of the tank and the accessories you will buy. Aside from the tank setup, you will have a monthly expense of $50 to $100 for food and heating.
Appropriate heating and lighting are crucial for bearded dragons since they are cold-blooded animals, meaning they are used to warm weather. Also, it helps them metabolize regularly.
Conclusion
According to studies, zero bearded dragon morphs are quite affectionate pets. They usually enjoy cuddling and playing with their owners. Although some zero beardies are notoriously friendly, they can enjoy human interactions if trained well.
