Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A few weeks ago I noticed both of my lizards going to sleep earlier in the day than they used to, which I took as a sign they were preparing to brumate. So I've been shortening their days by about an hour a week. Is that too fast? Rather than cutting their days short and hoping they follow suit, should I instead be trying to set my timers to match what time they're getting up and going to sleep on their own?

The care sheets I've read all say that one should gradually reduce their days in preparation for brumation, but none of them say what "gradually" means. Do you guys do it over the course of a month? Three months?

I don't want to cut off their light and heat so quickly that it causes health problems, but I also don't want to prevent them from getting ready to nap.

If you are planning to brumate in middle of October for example, start to feed less frequently, now.

Then stop food altogether for 7 days, BEFORE turning off heat (basking light) you want their stomaches to be empty of any content.

Then turn off the heat light only. Continue to give fresh water.

About 2 weeks later turn off the flouresent uvb light. Now there will be no lights.

Thats how you prepare, I think thats what you were asking.

Also remember NEVER brumate an unhealthy, extremely thin, or very young lizard.
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Eve / PHEve