Do bearded dragons hibernate in captivity?

Bearded dragon brumation signs:

  1. Spending less time in the basking area.
  2. Retreating to cooler areas of the enclosure.
  3. Loss of appetite.
  4. Sleeping for longer periods of time.
  5. Seeking dark places to hide or digging to make a nesting spot.

How long do bearded dragons brumate in captivity?

However, in captivity, brumation is not a necessary behavior, so it is different for each dragon. Some domestic dragons only brumate for a few weeks. Some brumate for months. So technically your dragon could be in brumation for just under a month, or for up to eight or nine months.

At what age do bearded dragons brumate?

In most cases, a bearded dragon starts to brumate between 10 to 24 months of age. But, every Bearded Dragon is different. Many bearded dragons brumate earlier than others, and some may not brumate until three years old – if at all.

How do bearded dragons act during brumation?

While brumating, your beardie will fall into a sleep-like state that will last for months. During that time, he might not eat or drink a lot – or not at all. Naturally, that gets many owners worried. Still, always remember that brumation is a natural process which should not be stopped, but helped.

What should I do when my bearded dragon is hibernating?

It can be disconcerting if your bearded dragon goes into brumation and then disappears for months on end. If you start to worry, just peek in on your dragon from time to time or even every day to make sure he is still breathing. Just try to do it without waking your dragon up.

What month do bearded dragons brumate?

Brumation is a period of dormancy based on seasonal cycles. It will normally last as long as the Australian winter does. In most cases, Bearded Dragon brumation lasts for one to three months. You should expect them to sleep anytime from early June until September.

Can I wake my bearded dragon up from brumation?

It will be more stressful and damaging to your baby bearded dragon to fight them on brumation in the long run. If they are adamant about going through brumation, let them. Just wake them up once a week and offer them food, a bath, and keep waking them up daily until they poop (if they ate that is).

What temperature do bearded dragons go into brumation?

Brumation is induced by slowly changing these temperatures and times to the following: Temperature (Day) – 75°-80°F with an 80°F basking spot. Temperature (Night) – above 60°F.

Should I let my bearded dragon hibernate?

Brumation is a natural process for many reptiles, including bearded dragons. More often than not, it’s best to just let your dragon do what her biological clock is urging her to do. But there are some cases in which your vet will advise you to prevent brumation.

What happens when bearded dragons hibernate?

However, each bearded dragon will brumate differently and maintain different levels of activity. While brumating, your beardie will fall into a sleep-like state that will last for months. During that time, he might not eat or drink a lot – or not at all. Naturally, that gets many owners worried.

Can you hold a bearded dragon in brumation?

We understand that longer periods of brumation might be disheartening as an owner since you won’t be able to handle them like you used to. However, this is all part of owning these reptiles! At the end of the day, you need to let them do their thing.

Should you let bearded dragons brumate?

It is usually best to just leave your Bearded dragon to do their own thing if they start to brumate. The main thing to do is ensure they have a constant supply of fresh water as normal and keep their enclosure clean, which is a little easier during this period since they produce less waste.

Your Beardie can show signs of brumation at any time, but they typically show the following signs when their tank’s temperature is decreased:

  1. Eating less.
  2. Sleeping more.
  3. Spending more time in a hide.
  4. Staying out of the basking spot.
  5. Staying out of direct light.
  6. Moving slower than normal.

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