Brumation is essentially when a beardie enters into their version of hibernation during the winter months.
During Brumation, a bearded dragon’s digestion system essentially shuts down, its heart rate drops significantly, and they appear to be in a deep sleep.
Brumation serves as a survival tactic that ensures the bearded dragon can survive the temperature drop and lack of food sources by giving them a warm place to rest.
It’s an important part of their life cycle and something that all pet owners should be aware of.
What Is Brumation?
Brumation is a natural process that many reptiles, including bearded dragons, undergo in the wild during the cold winter months to conserve energy. It is a hibernation-like state where bearded dragons sleep for an extended period of time.
Brumation can last anywhere from several weeks to several months depending on the age of your reptile and how low the temperature drops outside.
It’s crucial to remember that brumation isn’t something you should try to prevent or speed up – it’s an essential part of nature!
What Is Bearded Dragon Brumation?
In order to provide you with a reasonable answer to this question, let me explain exactly why this happens in the first place:
During the winter months, bearded dragons naturally enter a state of lethargy as temperatures decrease and daylight hours become shorter. This natural process is known as brumation.
This is an evolutionary adaptation they have developed over time to conserve energy.
During Brumation, bearded dragons shut down their digestive systems, their heart rate drops significantly, and they appear to be in deep sleep. By brumating, bearded dragons survive the temperature drop and lack of food.
As such, if you keep one as a pet, chances are he or she will want to go into brumation at some point in their life.
Bearded Dragon Brumation Signs
Knowing the signs of brumation in your bearded dragon is key to understanding when they start and finish this period.
Here are some signs that your beardie may be entering brumation:
- Not eating or drinking
- Not defecating
- Sleeping for several days or weeks at a time
- Seeking an insulated location to rest
- Spending less time in the basking area and instead retreating to cooler areas of the enclosure
- Loss of appetite
- Going to sleep earlier
- Hiding in the shade
It’s essential that you provide the right environment and care for them during this stage so make sure you keep up on regular health checks and examinations by a qualified veterinarian if needed.
How Long Will My Bearded Dragon Brumate For?
Brumation in bearded dragons can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to several months. This is largely based on the age, size, and health of your dragon.
Younger dragons tend to brumate for shorter periods due to their smaller bodies not being able to store as much energy as an adult would be able to.
Older or larger dragons may end up brumating longer than younger ones because they have more resources for survival during this time period.
Although each beardie has different needs when it comes to how long they choose to go through their specific brumation cycle; it can differ greatly between individuals, even within the same species.
Additionally, environmental factors like temperature, humidity levels, photoperiods (length of daylight), and other forms of stimulation can affect how long your pet chooses to stay in its state of dormancy.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Brumate?
Brumation is essentially a form of hibernation that bearded dragons go into during the winter months when temperatures drop.
Bearded dragons brumate as a natural process to conserve energy during the cold winter months so they can survive. It is this natural process that allows them to survive in cold weather and in the scarcity of food sources.
Another reason why bearded dragons might brumate is that it’s part of their instinctual cycle as cold-blooded creatures.
For many species of reptiles, including bearded dragons, entering a state of dormancy allows them to avoid unfavorable climatic conditions so they can live another day until more favorable climatic conditions return again in the springtime.
Should My Bearded Dragon Lose Weight When Brumating?
The answer is yes; in fact, it’s normal for them to do so.
Brumation is a form of dormancy that allows reptiles to conserve energy during colder months. During this period, they slow down their metabolism and decrease their food intake significantly – thus resulting in some weight loss over time.
Some may even gain a bit of fat due to consuming more than usual before entering into a state of dormancy.
However, if you notice your pet losing too much weight or becoming lethargic and unresponsive throughout the process then there could be underlying issues at play, and consulting with an exotic veterinarian would be highly advised.
So What Do I Need To Do If My Bearded Dragon Starts To Brumate?
Here are some things you should do if your Bearded dragon starts to brumate:
- Make sure the environment is right for them; this includes making sure they have a warm and humid dark hideaway where they can rest undisturbed.
- Provide hiding spots with plenty of substrates so that they can burrow into them when they want privacy or shelter from the cold temperatures.
- Reduce their lighting schedule as well – keep it at 12 hours on/off instead of 14-16 hours on/off during regular times.
- Check in on them regularly but don’t disturb them too much; if they seem lethargic or unresponsive then take steps to increase the temperature and humidity levels in their habitat.
- Provide your bearded dragon with nutritious meals during the brumation period – collard greens, turnip greens, carrots, squash, cucumber, and bell peppers are all good choices!
Can I Force My Bearded Dragon To Go Into Brumation?
You can’t force a Bearded dragon into brumation, any more than you can force a plant to bloom. Brumation is an instinctive process that begins and ends with the animal’s body clock.
The best thing you can do is provide the optimal environment for your Bearded dragon so it can go through this essential life cycle naturally.
That means cutting back on activity in the tank by providing cooler temperatures and reducing light exposure during winter months.
It also includes continuing regular feedings but offering fewer insects as cold-blooded reptiles like Beardies don’t require much energy when inactive or sleeping.
Can I Stop My Bearded Dragon Brumating?
No, unfortunately, you can’t stop your Bearded dragon from brumating.
Brumation is a natural process that occurs in the winter months and it’s important for their well-being.
However, if you want to try and prevent bearded dragon brumation, then make sure they are not exposed to winter-like conditions in their habitat.
As it gets closer to brumation, increase the basking temperature to around 60-105°F and keep the lighting on for 14 hours a day.
What Do I Do When My Bearded Dragon Wakes Up?
Once your bearded dragon has woken up from its brumation, you’ll need to take steps to ensure it’s back to feeling healthy and happy.
Here are four simple tips for getting your pet ready for the new season:
- Rehydrate – After a long period of inactivity, your dragon may be dehydrated. Offer them lots of water with their food or provide extra misting sessions throughout the day.
- Feed Well – Brumation can cause dramatic weight loss so make sure to feed them plenty of nutritious meals once they wake up. Greens like collard and mustard should be served regularly along with live insects such as crickets and mealworms to help replenish protein levels that have been lost during brumation.
- Monitor Weight & Health – Keep an eye out for any signs of health issues while they’re waking up, including changes in appetite, behavior, or general appearance. If anything seems off it’s best to take your bearded dragon to the vet just to rule out any underlying concerns.
- Get ’em Moving – To keep bones strong and muscles toned get your beardie moving! This can include providing them with plenty of climbing opportunities around their enclosure or giving them supervised time outside on warm days to explore and bask in the sunlight (just make sure they don’t escape!).
Remember, there is no exact timeline when it comes to transitioning from brumation back into regular activity so patience is key here!
How Often Does Bearded Dragon Brumation Occur?
Bearded dragon brumation typically occurs annually, usually in late fall or winter. This is when they enter a state of dormancy due to colder temperatures and shorter days.
During this period, their metabolism slows down significantly and they stop eating and drinking as much as usual. They may even go for weeks without consuming any food or water at all!
It’s essential that you monitor your pet closely during this time and take steps to ensure that they remain healthy throughout the process of brumating.
Where Does A Bearded Dragon Brumate?
Bearded dragons naturally seek out warm and safe locations for their brumation period.
Here are some of the places they brumate:
| Location | Temperature | Humidity |
|---|---|---|
| Underground | 15C-20C (59F-68F) | 70%-80% |
| Inside Tank/Enclosure | 22C-24C (71F -75F) | 40%-60% |
| Outside Enclosure/Tank | 14C-19C (57F-66F) | 60%-70% |
The most common places for bearded dragons to brumate are underground burrows or inside their tank or enclosure.
Beardies need plenty of hiding spots and dark areas where they can feel secure while sleeping. Branches, rocks, logs, plants – all these things could be used to create ideal places for your pet’s winter sleep.
How Do You Know When Brumation Is Ending?
To begin, it’s necessary to note that the length of brumation varies greatly between different species and individuals.
In general, however, most lizards will spend anywhere from three weeks to five months in brumation.
Here are some signs that suggest your beardies’ brumation period is coming to an end:
- Increased activity level
- Sleeping less
- Increase in appetite
- More active behavior
- No longer hiding as much as before
Conclusion
Brumation is an important part of a bearded dragon’s life cycle, and it’s something that all owners should be aware of.
As long as we provide our dragons with the proper conditions during their brumating period, such as keeping temperatures low, providing fresh vegetables and fruits, ensuring access to clean water, monitoring humidity levels, and cleaning out bedding material regularly—we can rest assured knowing our pets are safe and happy when they finally emerge from their slumber.
Overall, understanding how often your bearded dragon goes into brumation and what signs indicate it is beginning or ending is essential information for any responsible pet parent.
