What is brumation? Will my bearded dragon brumate? When?
Brumation is a semi-hibernation state in which a reptile sleeps the majority of the time, and eats very little. Most bearded dragons don’t start
brumating until they are at least 1 years old. Not every dragon brumates. Some actually choose not to or don’t have the desire to. Every dragon
brumates differently. Some brumate very deeply, some brumate lightly...
Brumation is a semi-hibernation state in which a reptile sleeps the majority of the time, and eats very little. Most bearded dragons don’t start
brumating until they are at least 1 years old. Not every dragon brumates. Some actually choose not to or don’t have the desire to. Every dragon
brumates differently. Some brumate very deeply, some brumate lightly...
This can be a very stressful time for a bearded dragon owner who has never experienced this before as they aren't sure if their dragon is sick or
not. There is no set time limit for a brumation either. It can start pretty much in any month - but is most often seen starting in the cooler months.
I've had dragons wanting to brumate in August. Each bearded dragon is different.
*NOTE* If your dragon is losing weight, slowing down, lethargic, or young then you NEED to see a vet and possibly have some tests done. A
dragon that is brumating or preparing to brumate does not lose vast amounts of weight. He/she may lose a little but it really shouldn't be noticeable
as their systems are slowing right down and they aren't burning any energy to lose weight.
When your dragon is beginning the brumation process the signs you can look for are:
If your dragon is exhibiting these signs or most of them and they are at least 1 year old then you can try to assist them into a deeper brumation. It
is advisable to have a fecal exam prior to having your dragon(s) go down for brumation. Just to ensure that everything is A-OK.
They are refusing food at this point. So, if they have had no food or very little for about 3 days you can give them a bath. A bath will help with 2
things...It will usually induce a bowel movement and hydrate them. If they do not have a bowel movement then try another bath tomorrow. If they
had a bowel movement you can start reducing their light cycle. You want to make sure they don't have a bowel movement inside or alot of food in
their belly because this can rot inside of their belly producing alot of bacteria.
Assuming your dragon is on 10-12 hours of UV & heat then you can reduce the light & heat cycle by shutting down 2 hours earlier than your
regular shut down time for a week. After that you can reduce it another 2 hours earlier for a couple of days.
Now the next part is totally up to your dragon and you. You can continue to gradually reduce the light and heat to nothing or close to nothing. Not
all dragons brumate the same. Some dragons "yo-yo" brumate. Which means they go down, and get up, go down and get up. Some dragons just
really slow down but don't really go into a deep brumation, and then there is the deep sleepers. They go down for the count and sleep hard!
What is hard about brumation is that not all dragons are the same and there is no "text book" way of doing it. You have to find out what works for
your beardie specifically. When they are brumating you want to disturb them as little as possible. A nice quiet area. Some people leave their
dragons in their enclosure to brumate, some remove them and put them in an alternate area of the house in shoe boxes or drawers. I personally
have my brumators all wrapped up in receiving blankets that they love and they are all in shoe boxes with a hole cut out so if they want to come out
for a stretch or wake up they can do that. My brumators are in their shoe boxes placed inside their insulated cages or they are in the brumation
rack with vents and no light or heat. Once a week I turn on the light for a few hours just to give them an extra blast of heat and if they see the light
and decide to get up they can do that (they don't - but momma feels better offering them that option!).
If they do come out for any reason you can offer them water and some greens. If they intend on going back to sleep it is unlikely they will take the
greens but may have some water. Many dragon owners will offer water via syringe every week or so. As long as water is available in one way or
another that is the most important thing. Remember if they do happen to eat by chance the next day you should wake him and give him a quick
warm bath to induce that bowel movement that will be lingering inside ;)
NOW for the tough part! "How long will this last? How long will my dragon brumate for?"
Brumation can last for anything between a day, a week or 6 months! (I've even heard of longer!). Hang in there, you can make it through the
brumation process :) Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
not. There is no set time limit for a brumation either. It can start pretty much in any month - but is most often seen starting in the cooler months.
I've had dragons wanting to brumate in August. Each bearded dragon is different.
*NOTE* If your dragon is losing weight, slowing down, lethargic, or young then you NEED to see a vet and possibly have some tests done. A
dragon that is brumating or preparing to brumate does not lose vast amounts of weight. He/she may lose a little but it really shouldn't be noticeable
as their systems are slowing right down and they aren't burning any energy to lose weight.
When your dragon is beginning the brumation process the signs you can look for are:
- Spending less time in the basking zone and spending more time in cooler areas of his enclosure.
- Desire to eat slows down or even halts. This sign really panics people - understandably so. I assure you this is very normal.
- Spending a great deal of time during the day sleeping or closing his eyes.
- If you have a cave or darker area of the cage and he is spending alot of time there, appearing to be disturbed by his normal light and
seeking out darkness. - Some dragons dig and make a little nesting spot to lay in. * Do not mistaken this sign when it is done by a juvenile; especially female - at this
age females begin digging alot almost like they are "practicing" for if they become gravid one day.
If your dragon is exhibiting these signs or most of them and they are at least 1 year old then you can try to assist them into a deeper brumation. It
is advisable to have a fecal exam prior to having your dragon(s) go down for brumation. Just to ensure that everything is A-OK.
They are refusing food at this point. So, if they have had no food or very little for about 3 days you can give them a bath. A bath will help with 2
things...It will usually induce a bowel movement and hydrate them. If they do not have a bowel movement then try another bath tomorrow. If they
had a bowel movement you can start reducing their light cycle. You want to make sure they don't have a bowel movement inside or alot of food in
their belly because this can rot inside of their belly producing alot of bacteria.
Assuming your dragon is on 10-12 hours of UV & heat then you can reduce the light & heat cycle by shutting down 2 hours earlier than your
regular shut down time for a week. After that you can reduce it another 2 hours earlier for a couple of days.
Now the next part is totally up to your dragon and you. You can continue to gradually reduce the light and heat to nothing or close to nothing. Not
all dragons brumate the same. Some dragons "yo-yo" brumate. Which means they go down, and get up, go down and get up. Some dragons just
really slow down but don't really go into a deep brumation, and then there is the deep sleepers. They go down for the count and sleep hard!
What is hard about brumation is that not all dragons are the same and there is no "text book" way of doing it. You have to find out what works for
your beardie specifically. When they are brumating you want to disturb them as little as possible. A nice quiet area. Some people leave their
dragons in their enclosure to brumate, some remove them and put them in an alternate area of the house in shoe boxes or drawers. I personally
have my brumators all wrapped up in receiving blankets that they love and they are all in shoe boxes with a hole cut out so if they want to come out
for a stretch or wake up they can do that. My brumators are in their shoe boxes placed inside their insulated cages or they are in the brumation
rack with vents and no light or heat. Once a week I turn on the light for a few hours just to give them an extra blast of heat and if they see the light
and decide to get up they can do that (they don't - but momma feels better offering them that option!).
If they do come out for any reason you can offer them water and some greens. If they intend on going back to sleep it is unlikely they will take the
greens but may have some water. Many dragon owners will offer water via syringe every week or so. As long as water is available in one way or
another that is the most important thing. Remember if they do happen to eat by chance the next day you should wake him and give him a quick
warm bath to induce that bowel movement that will be lingering inside ;)
NOW for the tough part! "How long will this last? How long will my dragon brumate for?"
Brumation can last for anything between a day, a week or 6 months! (I've even heard of longer!). Hang in there, you can make it through the
brumation process :) Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions.
Written by: Robin Moniz 2006
 |
 |
| Don't forget to check our Dragon Dictionary |
Below is an example of a schedule you can do to prepare your bearded
dragon for a cool down. ** Please note I am not telling you this is how
you must do it or even that you should. The decision is up to you and
your dragon. This schedule is that works for ME and my dragons.
dragon for a cool down. ** Please note I am not telling you this is how
you must do it or even that you should. The decision is up to you and
your dragon. This schedule is that works for ME and my dragons.
| Step 1: Go to your vets one month prior to your intended brumation schedule with a fresh stool sample and have it screened for worms, parasites, flagellates etc. Step 2: Depending on the results of those tests will determine what you do next. If your dragon comes back positive for anything you do NOT want to encourage any cool down at that time. He/she must be treated appropriately for whatever may be ailing them and depending on what they were diagnosed positive with they may need to be retested to ensure they are clear and healthy. Step 3: Prior to beginning the schedule you choose to follow you want to ensure that your reptile is of good weight, appropriate size and age. If you feel your dragon should be a little heavier than put off any cool down until they have reached a healthy weight. DO NOT attempt to cool down any dragon you suspect isn't "feeling well", dehydrated, under weight, too young or just isn't doing as good as he or she should/could be. Step 4: At this stage you should be 100% confident that your animal is in top notch health, good healthy size & clean of any parasites, worms, flagellates etc. Step 5: Look for indications from your dragon(s) that they are wanting to brumate (see top of page). You are confident this is something your dragon needs and wants you proceed to "Day 1" of the 6 day process. Day 1: Hault all food, give bath #1, light and heat schedule changes to 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Day 2: No food, give bath #2, light and heat schedule changes to 7:30 am - 3:30 pm Day 3: No food, give bath #3, light and heat schedule changes to 7:30 am - 1:30 pm Day 4: No food, give bath #4, light and heat schedule changes to 7:30 am - 11:30 am Day 5: No food, give bath #5, light and heat schedule changes to 7:30 am - 9:30 am Day 6: No food, No bath, No light, No heat
Reminder: I know you're thinking wow, so many baths! The baths serve two purposes (in this instance) - to hydrate and to induce bowel movements. You do not want your dragon brumating with food rotting in his belly! Check on your dragon(s) every few days to a week to see how they are. Don't disturb them though. You want to make sure that you are paying attention to when they awaken and are done with their cool down. |
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |