Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, i am putting 2 of my adult females through brumation at this time, and have been decreasing their lights for over 3 weeks. Now they are on a 6 hr day cycle, and have been for about 1 week. I have covered all parts i can with dark sheets, to give the illusion of dark/night, as i need to turn on the basement lights in the morning due to my parrot. All babies in that room are on regular day timers. They dont seem to be getting any "lazier" if you will, and dont seem to be going down for a nice nap or anything. When their lights are still off, i peak in there and they are kinda laying there half open eyes. Will they eventually go into brumation, and im just being impatient, or am i doing something wrong. I put them through this time of year last year and they did fine. They still want to eat everything.

Well thanks
David

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I can't really answer your question, but I have one of my own. Why are you trying to get them to enter brumation at this time of year? In most parts of the country its too warm right now. Is there a particular reason your trying to do this so long before winter?

Its actually cooler here, and i did the same time last year so i decided to do the same time this year. Last year, one went in naturally, and i put the other through and both did fine. Well, thanks again!
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Their light cycle, does that include heat from a basking bulb? If so, cut back on the food for a couple days then turn off the basking bulb. This will help clear their systems a bit & hopefully cue the brumation. They do go off of light cycle & temp. & possibly barometric & who knows what else. If after you cut off the basking bulb they are still active for (guessing here) a week, then turn the heat back on. Sometimes they just haven't read the brumation book & won't cooperate. lol

They can open their eyes while brumating but usually stay in one spot. If they are moving around, climbing & such, then they are not ready. Once they are staying in one place, (usually under a hide or log) you can put them in a bin of some sort, under a table or something, where they don't get a "light cycle" If they can see the lights coming on & off for the babies, then they may go off of that cycle so keep them as separate as possible.
If you do put them in a bin like I mentioned, you must check them at least once a week. They should be in the same spot every time. Once & a while they may move a little, but they should go right back to sleep. When I check mine, I put a drop or two of water on their nose to see if they are thirsty. (they usually aren't)
Once they start moving about, it's time to reverse the process. First give a light cycle, gradually building up. After about the first week of light, I add the heat. I do start offering food the same time the heat goes on. Not too many bugs at first. Let their systems wake up before you let them pig out.

I hope that helps.
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Joel R

Coming some day.
www.SpikesAndScales.com

Thanks so much. Well i changed their 100 watt to a 75 watt...do you think i should just keep going down on the wattage until nothing, or is cutting it off just as good? Thanks for all the help, im not going to force them in i just would like them at this point, that is if they are ready.
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Is there a florescent light in there? If so, just remove the basking bulb. Make sure they don't have a gut full of food though.
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Joel R

Coming some day.
www.SpikesAndScales.com

np
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Just wondered why they do this..
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**KILL 'EM WITH KINDNESS**

It's just like hibernation, just not as deep. It is a natural process where they can slow down their bodily functions to help them save energy etc. to get through the "winter" or cool season. It also triggers hormones, ovulation, sperm production, (which are all hormone induced)., & I'm sure many things that are yet to be understood. Your success rate of breeding is much higher if they are properly brumated. It tells them it's mating season, when they get up & food is aplenty.

Most "snakes" will not mate if they haven't been brumated. If the temps aren't just right, many males have horrible sperm counts, etc. (again snakes). I'm sure dragons would be affected in similar ways. You hear all the time, people asking why their male has no interest, or the female for that matter. It may very well be, lack of, or improper brumation.??
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Joel R

Coming some day.
www.SpikesAndScales.com