Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click here to visit Classifieds
Click for ZooMed
Click here for Dragon Serpents

Another couple of important brumation questions....

-ryan- Dec 07, 2003 03:00 PM

I was wondering if I should take sidney out and try to give him food while he's brumating. Or should I just leave him alone and let him not eat for the rest of winter (unless I notice him getting too skinny or moving around or something)?

Also, can I take him out to hold him and let him cuddle or anything while he's brumating? I assume that if I can I should only do it when it's getting dark and his lights are just about to turn off, because one time I did it this week and he went back to basking because of how bright it was outside (at around noon or something) and it sort of threw him out of brumation for a day.

Also, do yours eat at all during brumation? This sort of goes with the first part, but if so, how do you do it?

thanks in advance.

Replies (4)

Mattman Dec 07, 2003 04:11 PM

Most do not handle the dragons during brumation. Just let it run it's course. I do offer water if they should stick their heads out or come out for a short time. At this time I do weigh them and keep track of any foods they should eat to make sure it comes out, and they are not loosing weight. Don't want them eating lots then sleeping for a month cause the food will go bad in the tummy. Most won't eat anything. At most a worm or a piece of green. I personally do not feed any live foods during brumation just offer greens for this reason that the dragon might not eat enough and get hot enough to poop it out soon enough. When they come out they get water, and a drop or two of acidophiliz which has vitamins and good bacteria. Just something I do. I Don't think many people worry about vitamins at all or digestion during brumation cause their dragons brumate so soundly at cooler temps. The cooler the temps the more their bodies will shutdown, and hold water and weight. The lowest I can get them down to is 70-73 degrees in the hides so they stay somewhat borderline. Some breeders go as far as no light, no view out of the cage and temps down in the mid 50's- 60's. I have no way of doing such a thing, and really if they breed or not will not crush me although I am looking forward to spring breeding. I have a couple pairs so I'm sure one will mate. Some dragons brumate heavy some go down for short naps, and a few days of sleeping. So it all depends from person to person and dragon to dragon on how it goes.
-----
Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

-ryan- Dec 07, 2003 04:50 PM

will this cause any problems while he's brumating? Is there anyway I can get him to go? He basked a couple days after he last ate, and I soaked him in warm water the other day, but he didn't go. He usually doesn't go everyday, usually every 3-4 days. Should I worry?

Mattman Dec 07, 2003 05:08 PM

I would Just try to get him to go the next time he comes out for some water or to bask. The soaking in warm water will help if he has to go. I assume if he basked your temps are somewhat normal, so most likely he can digest when he basks. 1 of my dragons has eaten quite a bit inbetween sleeping periods, and did eventually poop on her own when she came out for water and a short basking period. Most will not be hungry or eat at all if their temps are not proper for them to digest. If you were planning a colder and long brumation period it is suggested to make sure they go before putting them down. I personally would not worry to much if he is still coming out now and them to bask. Like I said some brumate very deeply and some just for short naps and short sleeping period, some even lay with their eyes open for a month or two and then reawaken and become active again. All dragons are different in how and what their bobies tell them to do during brumation.
-----
Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

Mattman Dec 07, 2003 05:17 PM

This site will explain what is going on with the dragons, and is a must read for the first time through this scarey period. Last year only 1 of my dragons decided to brumate, and this year 5 are brumating all at once now. This site will help you a bit. Copy & paste-

http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDbrumate.html
-----
Mystical Dragons webshots pictures
Mystical-Dragons Website

Site Tools