Bearded Dragon (Hypo Het Zero)

Scientific Name: Pogona vitticeps
Common Name: Bearded Dragon (Hypo Het Zero)

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Species Overview

Size: Adults typically reach 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm), with males slightly larger and broader-headed.

Appearance: Hypo Het Zero Bearded Dragons display normal wild-type colouration. Hypo is heterozygous and therefore not visually expressed. Zero is also heterozygous, so pattern removal or reduction does not occur. Body proportions, scale structure, and overall morphology remain standard for the species.

Distribution: Native to the arid interior regions of central Australia.

Habitat: Wild Bearded Dragons inhabit dry scrublands, semi-desert plains, rocky outcrops, and open woodlands. In captivity, they thrive in spacious terrestrial enclosures with basking areas, climbing structures, and secure hides.

Behaviour: Bearded Dragons are diurnal, active, and alert. They display normal behaviours including basking, digging, climbing, arm-waving, and head-bobbing. Het genetics do not affect temperament.

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Captive Care

Enclosure: Provide a terrestrial enclosure at least 48 inches × 24 inches × 24 inches (120 × 60 × 60 cm). Use a soil–sand substrate mixture that is dry on top but deep enough to retain some moisture in the lower layers, supporting natural digging behaviour. Include basking platforms, hides, branches, rocks, and open floor space.

Temperature & Humidity:

• Basking area: 110 to 115°F (43 to 46°C)

• Warm side: 88 to 95°F (31 to 35°C)

• Cool side: 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C)

• Night temperatures may drop to 68 to 72°F (20 to 22°C)

• Humidity should remain 30–40%

Lighting: Provide strong full-spectrum lighting and high-output UVB (10–12%) for 12–14 hours daily. Proper UVB and heat gradients support calcium metabolism and natural behaviour.

Diet: Offer a varied omnivorous diet including crickets, roaches, silkworms, hornworms, black soldier fly larvae, leafy greens, vegetables, and occasional fruits. Juveniles require daily feeding; adults eat every 1–2 days. Use calcium and multivitamin supplements.

Behaviour in Captivity: These dragons are active, exploratory, and responsive. They bask, dig, climb, and display natural behaviours when provided with proper husbandry.

Special Considerations: Ensure proper UVB exposure, secure enclosure, substrate depth, and heat gradients. Overfeeding or insufficient lighting can lead to metabolic issues.

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Taxonomy Note

The Bearded Dragon belongs to the genus Pogona, a group of Australian agamids adapted to arid environments. Pogona vitticeps is widely kept due to its hardy nature, manageable size, and engaging personality.

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Genetics Note

Hypo (recessive, het):
Hypo reduces melanin, producing lighter pastel tones. Het animals carry one copy and do not visually express the trait.

Zero (recessive, het):
Zero removes pattern when homozygous. Het animals carry one copy and appear fully patterned.

Genetic Combination Summary:
This Bearded Dragon carries one copy each of Hypo and Zero. Both traits are not visually expressed but can be passed to offspring according to standard recessive inheritance rules.

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