Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy,
My beardie's around 14 months old now and jut recently she decided to go in her cave and bury herself and not come out. I let her stay in there a few days... then took her out and forced food on her (and water, yes she drinks from a small cup if I put it to her mouth). Im just curious... she keeps going down to her cave and will stay in there for a week or so. Shes also lost a "little" bit of weight. Still fat, but I can notice a small ammount of weight loss.

Is she brumating? She's never done this before. I took her out and fed her about 60 crickets yesterday and shes been sunning since. Also her poop and pee cycle hasnt been as frequent lately.

I use wheat bran as substrate, so Im not too worried about impaction. What do you guys think?

Crowley

It sounds like it could be brumation time for your beardie. Did you get a fecal done? When a beardie brumates, they should hardly lose any weight if they are healthy and parasite free. It's good that you offered her water. I always dribble a little water on my beardies noses every other day or so when they are brumating. That's good that she's basking after that large meal of 60 crickets. Her body has to get to 95 degrees to digest the food. If you can get a fecal to your vet that would be great. And if she doesn't have any parasites, let her brumate. Sometimes they can sleep for several months.

Veronica
Beautiful Dragons