Has any one ever experanced winter shutdown with thir dragons? I have read only a little about it and was wondering if it was based on temp,light cycle or some other means? any good way to reconize this? My adult Bob stoped accepting food today and was reluctant yesterday to eat, I am going to monitor his weight and I think contact a vet if things don't change on tuseday/wensday. Maby I am jumping the gun a bit but I want the best for him
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Winter shutdown?
draco_americanus
Oct 02, 2006 05:42 PM
Replies (4)
draco_americanus
Oct 03, 2006 04:12 PM
No one has any input on this? Do any of our dealers have dragons that have done?
draco_americanus
Oct 03, 2006 04:34 PM
Is winter shutdown called brumation? if so i learned something today
lkt
Oct 04, 2006 10:11 PM
Yes, winter shutdown is brumation and our beardie Kiana is already down for her nap.
I needed to clean her enclosure too so now I'm going to have to wake her up.
She's always been an early napper which makes care easier and energy usage is reduced but it always seems to be right after I buy a bunch of crickets.
tazziesmommy
Oct 03, 2006 05:38 PM
Yes it's called brumation. Every dragon is different and I don't think anyone knows for sure what triggers some dragons to brumate and some not to and when. Cooler temps, shorter days - who knows. Since all dragons respond differently, I don't think it's possible for a definitive answer. It is a bit early though, so I would contact a vet just to be safe. One of my adult females started brumating a couple of weeks ago, but since it was so early, I took her to a vet for a check-up. She is fine and I don't have to worry.
My beardies, however, don't just suddenly go from active, big eating little pigs one day to brumating the next. It is more of a gradual process. Mine eat less, bask at the hottest part of their tank less and spend more time lounging lazily in the cooler parts of the tank. Some go from that lazy stage to brumation and others stay in that lazy stage all winter. Still others, however, stay perfectly active all year long. It's a very individualistic thing.
There is lots of info available on brumation and I'm not an expert - I can just say what my beardies do. I'd definitely get your beardie to the vet though - better safe than sorry!
Good luck,
Lisa
