Albino Bearded Dragon: Things You Need To Know About

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An albino bearded dragon with its white skin and red eyes seems like a fantastic pet.

I certainly was enthralled by the idea when I first heard about them.

So I decided to spend a significant time researching whether it’s possible.

Read on, and I’ll share everything I’ve learned about these rare creatures.

Also Check: Everything You Need to Know About Citrus Hypo Bearded Dragon

Quick Summary

• True albino bearded dragons are extremely rare and suffer from health issues. They will only survive a few weeks after birth.
• Albino dragons aren’t the only ones with white coloring. Various bearded dragon morphs with similar white body colors exist, except without red or pink eye coloration.
• Many people considered these morphs excellent alternatives. After all, they offer a similar uniqueness as dragons with albinism but with a much longer life expectancy.

What is Considered an Albino Bearded Dragon?

True albino bearded dragons gained their name from having a genetic mutation. It’s a condition called albinism, which affects many species (1).

This genetic mutation is notable for causing some rather atypical features. In other words, an albino bearded dragon wouldn’t be hard to spot in a crowd.

These striking appearance characteristics come from their lacking melanin. As a result, albino beardies can’t handle being in the sun and face serious health issues.

So these dragons don’t live long, only a couple of weeks. It’s why you should always avoid buying from anyone involved with bearded dragon breeding who says they have albinos.

Honestly, it’s just a con to increase the price of a bearded dragon morph with white coloring. I’ll discuss much more about these white dragons in later sections.

What Do Albino Bearded Dragons Look Like?

If you do encounter an albino dragon, it’ll have no pigment. So they will be completely white with a set of pink or red eyes.

But it’s just not meant to be for them or pet owners. As I mentioned above, their lack of pigment makes them unable to survive in ordinary conditions.

For instance, heat lamps and UVB light will only worsen their condition. There isn’t a way to get them the necessary sunlight to thrive without hurting them.

Also Read: Things To Know About Fancy Bearded Dragon

Can You Find an Albino or White Bearded Dragon?

Finding a true albino dragon for sale is almost impossible. It just doesn’t make much sense to sell them, given their health issues.

Similarly, albino dragons are also a rare occurrence. It’s considered the rarest bearded dragon type in existence.

Hope isn’t all lost for people who want a white dragon, though. Various pale bearded dragon morphs mimic the white coloring of albinism but without red/pink eyes (2).

Here’s a quick look at the more popular pale skin morphs:

• Hypomelanistic Dragons (not wholly white and the most common alternative)
• Zero Dragons (entire body almost completely covered in white silvery color)
• Wero Dragons (paler than hypos but not as white as zeros)
• Witblits Dragons (very pale skin but with some dark patches of color)

But overall, the best alternative for me is zero beardies. They’re the closest a person will get to matching an albino’s coloring, as seen in this video:

Sadly, it may be challenging to get your hands on them. Zero beardies and the other white-colored dragons tend to be in popular demand.

If you want to learn more about common colors and other types, check out “20 Bearded Dragon Types Based on Morphology and Color.” 

Should I Get a White Bearded Dragon?

White dragons are excellent pet lizards and don’t require much upkeep. So anyone prepared to provide the proper care for them shouldn’t hesitate.

I’d only suggest reading through our next section before making a final decision. It’ll be another resource to help you never double-check whether you’re ready to care for them.

Doing proper research has stopped me from buying a pet I wasn’t ready to handle several times. If it didn’t, I’d have way more than one pet reptile in my house.

Everything to Know About Taking Care of White Bearded Dragons

So you’re dead set on buying a white-colored dragon? I don’t blame you, as any beardie is an amazing animal to have in a home.

But now, your next step is learning all about their needs and care requirements. It’s the only way to ensure you’re truly prepared for owning a pet dragon.

In the sections below, I’ll walk you through everything from health issues to habitat setup. You’ll soon be ready to start this new journey of owning a white dragon.

1. Notable Health Issues

White dragons aren’t immune to the problems associated with regular ones. Any owner must know about issues like periodontal disease, mouth rot, and parasites (3).

In most cases, these issues result from pet owners not being vigilant. So take your time and ensure your dragon’s tank is clean and offers enough light/humidity.

If you do, these problems are much less likely to harm your lizard. I’d also recommend talking with a vet to get a handle on your dragon’s specific needs.

They can better explain whether your dragon’s in good shape or needs special care. You can then adjust based on the suggestions to ensure yours remains a healthy beardie.

2. Feeding and Diet

Starting out white-bearded dragons will need a diet consisting of about 30% vegetables. I suggest using carrots, zucchini, and flowers to cover this percentage.

Meanwhile, the other 70% will be a variety of insects. Beardies love crickets, spiders, worms, and other crunchy insects.

The diet will turn over to more vegetables as they age. Adults end up with around 60% or even 70% vegetables to 30%/40% insects.

I also like to supplement these vegetables/insects with occasional fruits and meat. For instance, my sister’s beardie adores citrus fruits.

But refrain from giving them too much or it’ll lead to tooth issues. It’ll then cost you a truckload of money in vet bills.

If you’re looking for a more detailed diet plan, check out “Feeding Guide for Bearded Dragons: Safe & Toxic Food list, Cost, Common Food Disorders.”

3. Proper Habitat Setup

Setting up your bearded dragon’s habitat starts by picking out the tank. It would be best if you never chose a tank under 30 gallons or your dragon won’t have enough space.

Lacking enough space could stress them out and cause behavioral issues. So, honestly, I always suggest giving them as much room as possible.

I think you’ll agree with me when I say these beautiful creatures deserve to be spoiled. So don’t skimp on the available room.

As for the tank’s material, glass or plexiglass are your primary options. It should also have a mesh lid to offer easy access and visibility.

Lighting is the next consideration. After all, your beardie will require an environment with a light capable of mimicking our sun rays.

So you’ll need full spectrum UVB or UVA lights to get the job done. They’ll also need to be on for “10-12 hours” per day, or your beardie won’t have their needs met (4).

Another crucial aspect is the tank’s proper temperature. Most experts find between 75-85°F to be ideal during the day and 70-74 F at night.

Lastly, obtain some reptile carpet substrate product to line the tank’s floor. It’s a much safer choice than all the alternatives.

4. Cost of a White Bearded Dragon

All white-colored bearded dragon morphs will have a high price. But there’s some variation in the bearded dragon costs due to demand.

For instance, hypomelanistic beardies are a more common albino alternative. So they will cost less than a zero beardie.

But regardless, pet lovers should expect to pay at least $400 to obtain one. This cost isn’t even accounted for the necessary habitat equipment, vet bills, and food.

All those expenses probably increase the cost to over $1000 in total. So put some real thought into whether getting one is the right move for you.

Also Read: Everything To Know About Red Morph Bearded Dragon

FAQs

Conclusion 

Obtaining an albino bearded dragon doesn’t make sense on several fronts. But their short lifespans and health issues ensure they aren’t viable household dragons. 

But certain morphs like zero-bearded dragons can be an excellent alternative. The only downside is they cost a hefty sum.

Did you get interested in adopting an albino bearded dragon? Don’t forget to share your thoughts with us!

Resources

• 1. The Seen and Unseen Consequences of Albinism [Internet]. Office for Science and Society. [cited 2022 Sep 30]. Available from: https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/general-science/seen-and-unseen-consequences-albinism
• 2. Diego MA 1800 CMDS, Us C 92106 P-4C. Albinism versus Leucism: In the Wild and at Our Parks – Cabrillo National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) [Internet]. www.nps.gov. Available from: https://www.nps.gov/cabr/blogs/albinism-versus-leucism-in-the-wild-and-at-our-parks.htm
• 3. Warren R. Bearded Dragon’s Oral Diseases Treated [Internet]. School of Veterinary Medicine. 2020. Available from: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/bearded-dragons-oral-diseases-treated#:~:text=Lizards%20like%20bearded%20dragons%20are
• 4. Bearded Dragon Lighting Requirements | Petco [Internet]. www.petco.com. [cited 2022 Sep 30]. Available from: https://www.petco.com/content/petco/PetcoStore/en_US/pet-services/resource-center/home-habitat/bearded-dragon-lighting-requirements.html

Ben Roberts

My name is Ben Roberts, and I absolutely love animals. So, naturally, I love writing about them too! As far as my animals, I have a Pit-bull, a Beagle-lab mix, a Chihuahua, and one old cat. Each one of them provides me with a new adventure every day. And the best part is they’re all best friends. Well, except the cat when he gets a little annoyed.
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