What are bearded dragon shoulder pads used for?

[traceyb73]

Patience. Someone will see this and know the answer.

 

[ReptileRy]

i just read that the black shoulder pads where for showing off to another dragon, and some scientists think its for thermal regulation help.

 

[TheWerewolf]

Ooh, that's an idea. It's a mystery.

 

[ReptileRy]

The white nails are also accompanied by lightly colored or grey shoulder pads, a normal dragon will have black shoulder pads. just read this too on tundra dragons. so many different things..

 

[TheWerewolf]

The mystery will be solved. One day. And white nails and grey shoulder pads just mean that that dragon is void of black pigmentation. I believe it is called a hypo.

 

[BeardieMommy3991]

Oh my! Shoulder pads are just for storing fat is all. Unfortunately not wings or fashion statements, although that was an awesome answer! :wink: I'm pretty sure anyway. I havn't researched it in a while!

I could be wrong though. Maybe they ARE for display XD Or maybe they store water... like camals?

Also! My dragon is a hypo and has blue shoulder pads (common in hypos at times)

 

[kcarello]

Ha ha, I really like the wing remnant thing!!! Gonna tell the grandkids in the morning...lol. In the meantime, will try to find out for real...but I am betting it is some kind of camoflouge

 

[kcarello]

Wait, I do remember that it is only the inland bearded dragons that have these!!
Thats a start!!

 

[LadyMeridius]

Its to protect their shoulders when they play football? :lol:

I thought it was a protection issue ...when water rolls off the head, it seems to splash on the shoulders to the ground. :?:

 

[Burra]

I read somewhere that they are supposed to look like eyes to confuse and hopefully scare predators away.

I can't guarantee that's true, but it does seem to make sense! :wink:

 

[TheWerewolf]

Wait, I do remember that it is only the inland bearded dragons that have these!!
Thats a start!!

Oh! That is an excellent start kcarello. I also think what BeardieMommy said makes sense. Fat or water storage is great idea. Especially since only Inland Bearded Dragons have these. And water storage makes great sense since inland dragons don't get a chance to drink water as often as coastal dragons. Right? Anyways, I need more clues people! I can piece this mystery together.

P.S. I am really good at that type of stuff. Another reason for forensic entomology. :wink:

 

[traceyb73]

Oh my! Shoulder pads are just for storing fat is all. Unfortunately not wings or fashion statements, although that was an awesome answer! :wink: I'm pretty sure anyway. I havn't researched it in a while!

I could be wrong though. Maybe they ARE for display XD Or maybe they store water... like camals?

Also! My dragon is a hypo and has blue shoulder pads (common in hypos at times)

Just from what I see on Zoey, hers are almost flat. Do they puff these things out when they blackbeard? Zoey hasn't really done that so I don't know. :?:

 

[traceyb73]

I read somewhere that they are supposed to look like eyes to confuse and hopefully scare predators away.

I can't guarantee that's true, but it does seem to make sense! :wink:

That makes alot of sense!!!

 

[bunnyrut]

I asked Mr Dargon what they are.

he just stared at me. now i feel stupid.

 

[mudskipper]

Do we have a reptile vet on the forum?