I see that BDlvr already answered your "not so dumb" question.

Brumation is sort of a type of hibernation. In referrence to Bearded Dragons, it's also known as "winter shutdown." It muddles this ol' mind of mine if I try to get much more detailed than that. Brumation (brumate), I'm pretty sure, is reptile specific, maybe even including amphibians, too.

The word 'brumate" is not found in typical dictionaries, only in scientific dictionaries with biology/herpetology definitions.

Here's a definition from: Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research

"Brumation: The "cooling" a snake by lowering its temperature for usually 2 to 4 months to approximate conditions during the winter period. This is not the same as the true hibernation of mammals. Brumation triggers the physical changes that stimulate egg production in females, sperm production in males and the breeding response necessary for successful captive propagation."

For a mind boggling view of hibernation, which gets into some serious detail about poikilotherms, ectotherms, endotherms, etc..., click the following link & then follow the links within it. It really is interesting and very informative, but deep.
www.answers.com/topic/hibernation?cat=technology

Catch ya later!
HH
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Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

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