Imagine owning one of the rarest, most visually stunning bearded dragons, the Paradox morph! This dragon has an exotic variation that displays otherworldly patches of purple, blue, and translucent scales.
From their alien-like aesthetic to their lively, friendly personalities, Paradox dragons can make unforgettable pets, but you should know that these morphs aren’t the easiest to care for!
Read on to learn all about properly caring for these marvelous specimens. We’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your Paradox bearded dragon morph happy and healthy for years to come!
A Close Look at the Paradox-Bearded Dragon Morph
Let’s first look at this morph’s appearance, temperament, lifespan, and cost.
Appearance and Size
The Paradox bearded dragon is simply a color morph, not a separate species. Its appearance sets it apart from all other bearded dragon morphs.
What makes this dragon unique are the random patches of color and translucent scales decorating its body.
Some Paradox dragons sport big, vivid blotches with a mix of colors like purple, blue, and darker hues.
Meanwhile, other dragons may have faint spots of color that are hardly noticeable—they appear almost patternless unless you look closely enough.
The common factor among all Paradox-bearded dragons is the iconic “beard” under their chin, which can display bright colors too.
As for size, these pet reptiles grow up to 10-12 inches long and weigh 0.62-1.3 pounds when fully grown.
If you’re into reptiles with rare appearances, you’ll probably love translucent bearded dragons as well. They have semi-transparent scales, giving them an almost ghostly look!
Temperament and Behavior
Paradox bearded dragons display a generally docile temperament, but they may vary in personality, so you’ll need to get to know your specific dragon’s characteristics to truly judge.
With daily gentle handling from a young age, most Paradox dragons are likely to enjoy human interaction. Even the unsocialized ones are docile and won’t bite unless frightened.
To build trust with your reptile, approach them slowly to let them become accustomed to you.
When holding them, sit over a soft surface to protect them in case they startle and leap!
You’ll also want to ensure your hands are clean when touching them. Avoid using scented soaps because they could irritate the sensitive skin of reptiles.
Lifespan
Bearded dragons only live 5-8 years in the wild, but your pet Paradox dragon can enjoy 8-12 years of life with proper care!
Focus on providing top-notch living conditions, nutrition, and health care, and your bearded buddy will likely live a long, healthy life.
Speaking of lifespan, other bearded dragon morphs, such as the citrus bearded dragon, can live up to 15 years.
Cost
The price tag of a Paradox bearded dragon is significantly higher than most other morphs. Expect to pay between $1,000-$3,000 for a Paradox dragon from a breeder, depending on their unique patterning and colors.
Pet stores sell these reptiles at cheaper prices, but they are usually less healthy than those of breeders.
Either way, the upfront cost is just the beginning. Proper housing, lighting, food, and healthcare also require an investment, so you may as well consider that.
The Caring Requirements of the Paradox-Bearded Dragon
Paradox bearded dragons are relatively moderate-maintenance creatures. Let’s check out their basic requirements:
Enclosure and Substrate
Your Paradox dragon needs ample enclosure space to thrive. We recommend starting with a minimum 75-gallon glass tank because purchasing a larger enclosure from the start will save you upgrade costs in the future.
You can opt for custom wood or acrylic enclosures, but make sure they have a secure mesh top for ventilation.
Now comes the fun time! Add climbing branches, hiding caves, and digging spots in the enclosure to engage your bearded buddy.
When choosing a substrate, opt for reptile-safe options like reptile carpets or excavator clay. Your dragon would likely prefer the latter option because these fellows enjoy digging in the enclosure’s substrate.
Now that you’re done with the basics, follow these instructions to keep your Paradox dragon’s home clean:
- Spot clean poops daily.
- Scrub food bowls regularly.
- Replace water every day.
- Remove uneaten live insects to prevent infestation.
- Give the enclosure a deep clean monthly.
Temperature and Humidity Levels
Your little Paradox bearded dragon needs highly specific conditions to stay comfortable and active!
You’ll want to create a nice warm basking spot between 95–105°F in one area of the tank. The best way to achieve this is by using a ceramic heat emitter or mercury bulb about 12 inches above the basking zone.
This gives them a toasty area to hang out and digest their food properly after meals. The rest of the tank should range within 80–90°F.
As for humidity levels, it should be around 30–40%. A humid home helps your bearded dragon shed their skin smoothly.
To achieve this humidity level, mist the tank once or twice a day and use a hygrometer to keep the moisture levels in the sweet spot.
Lighting
Your Paradox morph needs UVB and UVA rays to stay healthy. Without proper lighting, your dragon could develop metabolic bone disease from vitamin D deficiency.
Since window sunlight can’t provide these beneficial wavelengths all year round, it’s necessary to provide your bearded dragon friend with artificial lighting.
Choose a quality reptile fluorescent bulb to spotlight the enclosure with 12–14 hours of light daily.
Feeding
When young, Paradox dragons are mostly insectivores but become omnivores in adulthood. So, offer these dragons a rotating buffet of dubia roaches, crickets, worms, and other insect proteins at their young age.
Start to include collard greens, dandelion leaves, blueberries, fruits, and veggies in their diet as they grow up.
It’s recommended to limit fruits to only 5% of the total diet. Try to make 65% of their nutrients from vegetables and fresh foods and 35% from insects. And to prevent any nutrient deficiencies, incorporate vitamin D3 and multivitamins into your dragon’s diet.
You’ll also want to be cautious and feed your little dragon small insects to prevent choking. You can use the space between the dragon’s eyes to gauge the insect’s size. If it’s larger than that space, then it’s a choking hazard.
Common Diseases and Health Conditions of the Paradox-Bearded Dragon Morph
Unfortunately, some Paradox bearded dragons are born with defects from crossbred genetics.
Even those with no congenital disabilities are prone to various health issues. The following is a list of their most common health problems:
- Metabolic bone disease (MBD)
- Impaction
- CANV (Chrysosporium anamorph of Nannizziopsis vreisii):
- Atadenovirus
- Infectious stomatitis
- Respiratory infections
Given that, ensure your dragon’s environment and diet meet all its needs to minimize these potential issues. It’s also wise to schedule regular checkups with an exotic vet to catch any problems early.
Wrapping Up
And there you have it—everything you need to welcome one of these marvelous Paradox dragons into your home!
We covered their stunning appearance, care requirements, potential health issues, and more.
With this guide’s tips, your reptile will live a long, vibrant life, and you’ll enjoy watching your rare dragon grow and thrive!
