What is a Translucent Bearded Dragon?
Translucent bearded dragons are again a result of genetic disorder. In fact they were available years ago, but the genetic strength of this line was very week. However, after years of out crossing and increasing the strength of the bloodline translucent’s are one of the most visually stunning bearded dragons you can buy, especially translucent leatherbacks. Translucent dragons carry large pieces of translucent (transparent) skin. It’s most extreme in young animals where you can hold them up to a light and see the results for yourself, with age however, the skin will thicken, and the translucent appearance will reduce and remains to some extent (especially evident on the spikes).
Why are they translucent? The genetic disorder implies the lack of white pigments. In this case for translucents the iridophores and leucophores are missing…. in other words they lack white pigments. Therefore light is able to pass through, giving a clear translucent effect.
Also, the other visual trait of this line and one which I find most fascinating is the visual “black” eyes. This almost gives them an alien like appearence. A good quality translucent will have 100% black eyes and almost look glossy, but you can get translucent bearded dragons with normal looking or partial black eyes… aka Partial translucents. However, they will have the recessive gene for creating heterozygous or homozygous translucent offspring (depending on pairing). Unlike the translucent skin, which will reduce with age a translucent will never lose the black eyes.