SUPER CITRUS COLOR MORPH
Standard of Excellence
1. General Appearance
Overall appearance of the Super Citrus color morph is elegant and well balanced. The look of the Super Citrus is streamlined, lean and racy as a younger adult but never "thin." The Super Citrus dragon becomes more powerfully built as an older adult of 2 - 3 years but maintains grace of movement and regal demeanor. The highest quality Super Citrus is never blocky in appearance. The head, neck, body, arms, legs and tail should be structurally proportioned.
2. Characteristics
Super Citrus dragons are a bright lemon yellow, with narrow light lavender side bars. The highest quality specimens have a luminous quality with undertones leaning toward green in the color spectrum. The Super Citrus displays a regal, intelligent, alert disposition. Wariness in a new environment is normal and a sign of good health.
3. Head
Triangular. Top line eye ridges present but not overly pronounced.
4. Eye color
Copper golden brown to brown.
5. Eye shape
Round. Fault: visible gaps between eye and lower lid causing a drooping appearance.
6. Jaws and teeth
Upper and lower lip lines should meet without gaps.
7. Adult Size
The following ranges apply to adult Super Citrus dragons over 1year of age. Ranges were established by measuring a cross-section of the colony; 20 adult Super Citrus dragons, 10 males and 10 females, between 1 and 4 years of age.
Overall length is measured from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Overall length and weight ranges are directly related to the dragons' age.
Length (overall):
Males: 18 - 23 inches
Females: 17 - 20 inches
Weight:
Males: 380 - 620 grams
Females: 380 - 540 grams
Proportional Measurements:
Males
Tip of nose to base of "V" at head: 2.25 - 3 inches
Base of "V" at head to shoulder: .5 inches
Shoulder to base of tail: 5 - 6.25 inches
Base of tail to (undamaged) tail tip: 10.5 - 15 inches
Females
Tip of nose to base of "V" at head: 2 inches
Base of "V" at head to shoulder: 1 inch
Shoulder to base of tail: 5 inches
Base of tail to (undamaged) tail tip: 9 1/2 - 11 1/2 inches
8. Movement
Super Citrus dragons should be active in movement with no pronounced jerking, which can be indicative of MBD.
9. Color & Pattern
Super Citrus dragons are a bright lemon yellow, with undertones leaning to green in the color spectrum. Super Citrus have light lavender side bars. In the most beautiful specimens the bands are narrow. Nails can be clear or semi-clear but not dark or black.
While hatchlings and juveniles may have some pattern, by 1 year of age, only a slight ghost pattern is visible or no pattern at all.
Hatchlings and juvies may show slight orange to extreme orange and sometimes red, but the best specimins will shed into clear Super Citrus yellow with the lavender side bars as the dragons mature to 1 year. The highest quality specimens retain no red and minimal orange scales. Slight orange shading around ears, eyes or sides of throat is acceptable.
The most excellent Super Citrus specimens should be full body lemon yellow, from nose tip through head, down neck, back, sides, spikes, tail, legs, feet and toes. White scaling may appear in feet and toes. Undersides are pure white. Throats can be Citrus yellow.
Head scales or spikes that "gray out" to the tip are acceptable, especially in older dragons.
10. Faults in Adult Animals
Any color other than lemon yellow. Wide saddles or side bars. Contrasting dark or intrusive pattern in adults over 1 year of age. More than 1% orange skin or scales. Bulging eyes. Weight or length beyond acceptable ranges. Viciousness or extreme shyness can be considered a fault, depending on the severity of the trait.
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Copyright of Terri Sommella, Fire and Ice Dragons 2003. All rights reserved.
No part of this Standard may be used, in full or in part without express written permission. There are no exceptions.