Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Rorschach didn't show her face for three days - she's been out for the last three days, but only long enough to dig a new hole. She hasn't eaten in all this time (that I know of), either. She still looks bright eyed and hasn't noticably lost weight so I'm assuming it's pretty normal. I haven't changed her temperatures. If any of this sounds weird or there's something I should be doing for her winter slowdown, please let me know!
-----
Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.1 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, Tank, and Lilly)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.1 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

Not much to do really, I will soak Bonnie, Clyde, and Ommarosa once a week. Do a once or twice over making sure all is good with them, just make they are hydrated and in good health.

Bonnie actually popped her head out checked around I soaked her and made sure she had some water.

Clyde is sleeping the winter away in style and Ommarosa is living comfortably under the bridge.

Boost

if she continues to be inactive. Too high temps may cause her metabolism to keep going even though she might want to remain inactive and cause her to loose weight. I believe there is more to them shutting down that just temps such as barometric trends etc. I think Debb talked about this stuff on the uro forum. But first make sure her gut is cleared as you probably already know. Tom

Thank you, Tom! How much should I lower it? Drop to room temp? Or just a smidge (say, one lamp) to allow mini-basking sessions when she comes out? That's closer to what I do for my uros.

Right now the cage is such that I cannot reach her when she is hiding. If necessary, I can tear the cage apart to make something simpler for the winter so I can keep her hydrated.
-----
Torey
Eugene, Oregon, USA
1.1 Saharan Uros (Joe and Arthur)
3.1 Mali Uros (Spike, Turtle, Tank, and Lilly)
1.1 Ornate Uros (Scuttlebutt and Shazzbot)
0.1 Collared Lizard (Rorschach)
2.1 Green Anoles (Bowser, Sprocket, Leeloo)
1.1 Chubby Housecats (Roscolux and Jenny)

refrigerator for the winter anymore?

David

hahaha...that is cute. I put mine in a bedroom closed off to heat. It stayed about 50 F in there. They drank the water I kept with them, too. Not much, but now and then a little urine pellet would appear.
-----
Valerie

We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.--

God bless the USA

vrk.photosite.com

before I replied. Yes the fridge thing is still used. LOL

to be able to take incredibly cold temps for hibernation. I would say that a uro hibernation protocol would be too warm. I would say to take her down into the low 50's. A good friend of mine, Paul McIntosh hibernates his in a refridgerator at 45F. but I think even in the uuper 50's would be ok. You might want to pull her out after you are sure she is empty and put her in a cold dark spot in a shoe box. I think Paul used to put a damp paper towel in a portion of the box.

Yes, I kept mine in the fridge in the mid 40s for the whole winter. I offered them water in a shallow dish frequently, but I never saw them drink it. They'd just open one eye, look at me, and go back to sleep.

I'd suggest changing the water frequently, though, to prevent any bacteria growth.

You can see the black wire in my picture, that's connected to a digital thermometer that has an alarm that can be set if the temps get to hot or cold...it was only like $15 and probably a good safety measure.

David

Had mine in temps that low! I know many do, but I keep mine in low 60's. And that probably flucuates, as does the house, some days colder, some warmer.
This year I will only lower the temps for the yellowheads in the 50's I heard they are used to it being much cooler.

They are free to come out of hides to drink, water is always available. Some I drip water on their snouts at least 1 time a week.

Anyone who looks as if they are losing weight gets yanked out and returns to normal tank conditions. :0)

I pick and choose WHO brumates, my older guy Kinky , and anyone who is thin does not. No reason risking losing them.
I also have a couple yearlings I will keep up this year, the Kongster, and Langundo. One more season before I will mate them , so no rush. And the new vestiguim kids will stay up.

I do not like brumation, I'm happy when it's over and everyone is fine. Last year I had a beautiful guy come out very slowish, and never has been quite the same.

I always hate hearing people lost their lizard to brumation, I know it does not happen much, but it does happen each year, so make sure everything is done in the proper way, and that will help things go better.

Hhehehee, I just worry about them the whole time, thats just me.... NICE to see them back up and roaming healthy!

-----
PHEve / Eve

Contact PHEve

I have never tried to brumate during the first year of life. But obviously they do it in the wild. She is a very big girl, and if it looks like that is what she wants to to, you can certainly consider it. Or you can just let her go along as she is. You can shorten the "daylight" hours in her tank and then increase them along with the seasons.
-----
Valerie

We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.--

God bless the USA

vrk.photosite.com