Bearded Dragon

Dunner is a dominant mutation named after Kevin Dunn. Modifies both scale direction and body pattern. Scales point outward and in random directions rather than posteriorly. Pattern markings are disrupted. As a dominant trait, one copy produces the full visual phenotype.

ID tips: Dunner: Scale direction is modified — drag a fingertip gently from head to tail: normal dragons feel smooth; Dunner dragons offer resistance. Pattern markings disrupted. Tail shows modified scale appearance.

German Giant is a polygenic (line-bred) size trait that produces significantly larger than average bearded dragons. Standard adults reach 40-60cm / 400-600g. German Giant specimens from established lines can reach 65-80cm+ / 700-1000g+. Polygenic inheritance — no simple Mendelian ratios. Size advantage degrades in crosses with standard animals. Frequently mislabeled commercially.

ID tips: German Giant: Noticeably larger at the same age. Size advantage apparent after 12 months. CAVEAT: size alone without lineage documentation is insufficient to confirm.

The Hypo (Hypomelanistic) locus is a recessive mutation that reduces melanin (dark pigment) production in bearded dragons. Homozygous Hypo animals (hypo/hypo) display brighter, more vivid coloration because the dark pigment that would otherwise mask or mute their base colors is reduced. Reds, oranges, and yellows appear more saturated. Nails are clear or nearly clear rather than dark and opaque. Hypo is one of the foundational morphs in bearded dragon keeping.

ID tips: Hypo (homozygous hypo/hypo): Clear or translucent nails — the single most reliable visual indicator. Body coloration is brighter and more vivid than age/temperature-matched normals. Heterozygous carriers (het Hypo) look like normals.

The Leatherback locus is an incomplete dominant mutation affecting scale size. Three phenotypically distinct forms: (1) Normal (lb/lb): full-sized spiked scales. (2) Leatherback (Lb/lb, heterozygous): reduced scale size, smoother texture, colors more vivid. (3) Silkback (Lb/Lb, homozygous): NO scales — severe animal welfare concern.

ID tips: Leatherback (Lb/lb): Distinctly smoother dorsal body. Lateral spike rows reduced or absent. Colors more saturated. Silkback (Lb/Lb): Completely smooth — no scales anywhere. Skin is visibly delicate.

The Translucent locus is a recessive mutation affecting both scale structure and pigmentation. The most diagnostically reliable feature: solid, uniformly dark eyes ("black eyes") with no visible iris patterning, present from hatching. Scales have a slightly glassy quality with a blue or dark tinge particularly on the belly.

ID tips: Translucent (homozygous trans/trans): Solid, uniformly dark eyes with no visible iris — the definitive diagnostic feature, present from hatch. Belly is often darker or more blue-gray than normal. Heterozygous carriers appear entirely normal.

Witblits is a recessive mutation producing a patternless phenotype with muted, earthy coloration. South African origin — "Witblits" is Afrikaans for "white lightning." Animals lack typical pattern. Coloration tends toward earthy muted tones — cream, tan, pale brown. A separate locus from Zero, confirmed by complementation testing.

ID tips: Witblits (homozygous wit/wit): Completely patternless body. Uniform coloration in muted earthy tones: cream, tan, pale brown, light gray. Normal eye color. Normal scale structure. Distinguished from Zero: Witblits tends toward warmer earthy tones.

Zero is a recessive mutation producing a patternless, near-colorless phenotype. Homozygous Zero animals appear white, silver, pale gray, or very light with a clean uniform appearance. Removes both pattern AND most color expression. A separate locus from Witblits, confirmed by complementation testing. High commercial demand (~1,900 monthly searches, DataForSEO US March 2026).

ID tips: Zero (homozygous zero/zero): No pattern whatsoever. Body very pale: white, silver, cream, or very light gray. More depigmented than Witblits. Normal eyes. Normal scales. Heterozygous carriers look like normals.