Albino Beardies!

[Gail]

To my knowledge only a couple clutches of albinos have ever been hatched and it was a surprise each time. Meaning, the breeders weren't trying to create albinos, it was just a genetic fluke.

 

[OgleRpets]

what if you put suntan lotion on them?

Is that a joke?

I'm sure she meant sun block, and it could very well be an honest question. Silkies have to have baby lotion, but since dragons need the UV to live I'm thinking the sun block wouldn't help much either way, since it would block the needed UV. I'm with LaPrice with reptiles that need UV to survive, I'm not sure it is possible for Albinos to survive very long.

 

[LaPrice]

yea and their suffering every minute of said life. now if its an accident i can understand, but if people are breeding beardies, tegu's iguanas and the like to be albino on purpose they need help

 

[JaysDragons]

I didn't realise the severity of it :O Atleast now i know why they wont live past Juvi, what a shame eh?

 

[carpedraconum]

is it possible to use supplements with albinoes? Or is the sunlight, UVB bulb doing more? or is it that the UVB allows the dragons to absorb the supplemental D3? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to broaden my knowledge on the subject now.

Thanks,

Drew

 

[TASTIGER]

sunblock blocks some but not all UV rays i was just asking a question volvo no need to be rude

 

[LaPrice]

sorry, wasnt trying to be rude . It was an interesting question, though i doubt it would do much good.

Using D3 as a supplement for sunlight isnt much better, someone tryed with a tegu. It ended badly.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rxhuuIcnTA&feature=related
Varnyard explains pretty good (if this is considered a shock video please let me know, i know its not beardie related but its related to the topic)

 

[TASTIGER]

i wasnt talkin to you laprice no worries!

 

[volvotech]

sunblock blocks some but not all UV rays i was just asking a question volvo no need to be rude

Wasn't a rude response, simply a question. I just can't see why anyone would want a Beardie they have to keep alive with sunscreen...seems selfish and unfair to the dragon.

If it's just a genetic fluke and not actively being sought out however, I suppose anything that helps is good for the animal.

 

[TASTIGER]

i think id rather put sunscreen on a beardie than have it die slowly from the lack of UVB im not being selfish just trying to find ways to improve an albinos life

 

[FBradshaw]

Since none have been known to make it past the juvenile stage it would be really hard to try to breed albinos since they must hit sexual maturity to mate.

Replacing UVB with vitamin D3 is never a good choice and should only be done in extreme circumstances. Dragons regulate their UVB intake instinctively as to their needs to produce D3 and supplementing could possibly lead to vitamin toxicity resulting in death. In order to do it properly you would need to do blood work on the animal in question several times daily and adjust the dosage of D3 accordingly, and you still wouldn't end up with a very happy or healthy pet.

 

[TASTIGER]

i dont think anyone should breed albinos its just a death sentence

 

[LaPrice]

agreed
accidents are acceptible, as long as they make the animal comfortible or put it to sleep to save it from the agony of MBD or super duper bad sunburn cancer death

 

[argolupin]

just curious, but what if you lowered the uvb level from say 10.0 to the 2.0 or only had the uvb bulb on for shorter periods? would that help... sorry if it's a dumb question but i am seriously curious.

 

[Sashee]

They do look cool, although I have to take issue with anything that is bred for a degrading genetic disorder to try and make it look good...

Agreed on both points.

If they were healthy, I would love to have one. But if breeders can't figure out what it is that is simultaneously causing albinism and killing them, then it's not worth trying to breed that look. A life is more important than appearance.

...But if they could manage it in a healthy, thriving beardie, wow!

I TOTALLY AGREE!

Poor babies. They remind me of the ppl on that Will Smith movie that I hate... Umm... I Am Legend! So sad.

LaPrice- People are so stupid. That poor tegu.