Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hi i was just wondering if someone can help me with the brumation process in advance just so i know what to do when time comes??? oh and does any one have any type of plans for buiding cages for adult beardies?? if so please e-mail them to sdhustler619@yahoo.com thank you very much kind people....

Some Beardies “Brumate” sort of like hibernation, for up to months at a time. Don’t get scared. Your dragon will become lethargic, sleepy and seem sick. To rule out parasitic infection, take a fecal sample to the vet. You should be getting two fecals a year anyway. If it has parasites it can be dangerous for it to brumate. Beardies get less active when the seasons change and it starts to get cooler (November-December). Some will go to sleep at the end of breeding season (August). Usually, they don't want to eat as much and they may look for someplace to hide. Because they don’t bask to digest their food during brumation they shouldn't have any food in their stomach. So make sure your dragon has pooped before it goes to sleep. This can usually be done with a warm bath. Gradually change the timer from 14 hours a day to 8 hours a day. While they are brumating always make sure they have fresh water should they wake up thirsty.

More brumation info can be found at:
http://home.comcast.net/~holachapulin/Brumation.html
http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDbrumate.html
http://hem.bredband.net/ridgun/teo/english/experience/22-brumation.html

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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

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Signature edited for TOS violation.

Edited on August 22, 2004 at 23:25:18 by phwyvern.

"You should be getting two fecals a year anyway."

Bennett,

Why do you keep insisting this? I know for a fact very few people (including myself) ever get fecals done on their dragons (or any other type of lizard for that matter) unless their is a noticable problem, yet you're promoting getting one done every six months? Please explain the logic behind this? I realize its likely to detect parasites, but this seems excessive in my opinion. Other than your posts, I've never seen this promoted in any lizard guide or magazine.

Most of my posts are to the begginer herpers. They may not know what to look for or may not notice the changes that we do. It is precautionary advice. Just the same as when you take a dog or cat to the vet to get checked for worms. If someone is asking questions like "my BD is sleeping all the time, is he sick", then they need some guidence or they wouldn't be asking. If the animal is going to brumate, and someone is not sure if it is brumation or illness, a fecal is warrented. if they are waking up from brumation and going to breed, a fecal can be done before hand to increase the odds of a healthy clutch.

this is not a RULE. just a suggestion to help someone not as experienced as yourself so their BD can stay healthy.
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

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Signature edited for TOS violation.

Edited on August 22, 2004 at 23:25:38 by phwyvern.

Fair enough, thanks for your reply. I agree that new owners should be overly cautious until they get the hang of things.

Me too. And fecals aren't expensive so it's better safe than sorry.
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Amanda
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2.0 bearded dragons (Ocho / Domo-kun)

0.1 kingsnake (Rio)
0.0.1 tarantula (Otto)
1.0 ferret (Playstation)
1.0 cat (Wally)
0.1 dog (Tima)

ok back to the ORIGINAL topic lol at what age do they go through this brumation process? cause mines are only like 3-4 months and i LOVE these guys best pet EVER plus my 2 spiny flower mantis.

If your dragons are only 3-4 months old you really shouldn't try to make them brumate this year or even next year. I don't brumate my dragons. An argument could be made that they should brumate if you want to breed them, but you shouldn't even consider breeding yours for about 18 months to 2 years.

As Bennett said if they're not acting normal then have a fecal done to make sure they're healthy.

>>ok back to the ORIGINAL topic lol at what age do they go through this brumation process? cause mines are only like 3-4 months and i LOVE these guys best pet EVER plus my 2 spiny flower mantis.

it depends on what time of year they were born. It is rare for a BD under a year old to brumate. Usually if they brumate (not all do), it could start as early as when they turn a year old. a lot depends on the conditions they have. With short hours and cooler nights it could encourage them to brumate but not make them. If the lights are on long and its good and hot it may disuade them but not prevent them from brumating.

hope that answers it
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Bennett

www.beardiedragon.com

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Signature edited for TOS violation.

Edited on August 22, 2004 at 23:50:21 by phwyvern.