Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was wondering if there are any people on this forum brumating at the same time?

i would like to brumate my lizards and it would make it easier to follow the lead of somebody who successfully brumated in the past.

i don't want for someone to explain to me brumation or anything like that, just to say "lets start turning off heat lights now" and so forth.

i think there would be a lot of people on this forum who would find this VERY helpful.

thanks.

collareds kick serious azz.

It would be helpful to follow someone who has done it.

Collaredkeeper Website

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Collaredkeeper

I am terrified to do this, altho I realize it is natural and healthy for them. Is it necessary if you don't care about having babies? I read what Eve posted yesterday on how to prepare them for brumation, but where do you actually keep them? (What kind of container at what temps?) Do you remove their normal sleeping place and place the container you want them to brumate in their cage and hope they go to it? Or wait until they are asleep and then transfer them to another container? I know they stay outdoors here, but they are also buried in, and I am afraid it will be too cold to put them outside. And the house will be too warm. My garage is detached and it freezes in there, too. I have read that you can keep them in the refrigerator and I am curious what methods have worked for others here. Thanks for your input.
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Valerie

People have different methods of brumating, and also different temps. Some people have great luck, just letting their lizards do it naturally. What I mean is this. Their lizards will slowly quit showing interest for their food. If they are healthy, don't be afraid of this. Let them slow down. They will gradually eat less, and come out of hiding less. If they do this on their own, it is best to help them along. I would do this by not feeding them anymore. Give them about 10 days of normal conditions, but with NO food. Keep offering water.

After the 10 days, reduce the lighting down to fluorescents only. This is best and easiest when using timers (about 4-6 each). After a few more days with the fluorescents, shut those off too, and any other heat sources. Let them stay in the dark for a few days.

Regarding the attempt to synchronize the above. This can be done if everyone's lizards are in the same condition. Definately possible to do this, but some peoples lizards have already started their own processes.

I may start mine in December if they are still awake. I like to keep all my lizards on the same schedule too, so if several start to brumate on their own, I will probable force the others to do so too.

Hope this was helpful.

John E.

Now, what I've mentioned above is what I have done every year...I keep mine in the basement, which maintains about 68 F. I let them stay like this for a couple days (still keeping water in the tank). Now here is where things may be different. I transfer my lizards into Sterlite shoe boxes that have several pencil sized holes in the top. The last couple of years, I have not used any sand, just papertoweling on the bottom. IF you do this, you will have to monitor them every couple days to make sure they do not dehydrate. If their tails start to get thin, you will have to slowly warm them up and offer them (or force) them to drink. Most shoe boxes have some small dimples in each of the four corners...I would put a tiny bit of water into each of the four corners, then add more when it was all evaporated.

I keep my refrigerator set on 45 F. This may not be possible with some refrigerators...you definately don't want to approach freezing temps, so make sure you have a stable cool temp before even trying this. I try to open the door once a day, or ever couple days to make sure their is fresh air. They really don't breath too much at those temps though. They will move extremely slow, and appear dead sometimes. I check on them, but don't disturb them too much.

After a couple months, I reverse the above process (bring them out into the tanks for a few days and let them adjust to basement temp; still no lights)...then bring on the fluorescent lights on a timer for a few days, then bring the incandescent lights back on with the timer. It might take them a few days to start acting normal again, and often they will still sleep for a few days. I don't worry about it. I let them adjust to their own schedules.

do not like the refrigerator method LOL

I only brumated a couple last year, but not long.

But intend to brumate atleast half my collareds this year, for longer period of time.

I do things different, I allow them to just brumate in their own tanks, lights off, of course. Room about 68 degrees, give water a couple times a week.

Really cold temps, scare me off, I do not want to lose anyone, as "sometimes" happens in brumation.

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Eve / PHEve

hey girl
you don't have to brumate if you don't want to have babies. i have never brumated and they still drove me nuts this year with eggs. i thought i was going to brumate this year but i just can't because i am going out of town for winter break and i don't trust someone else to make sure the brumation is going ok. anyway, if it makes you uncomfortable, then you don't have to do it. knowing me, they would probably never get much sleep because i would be so paranoid and always checking on them.
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vonnie
***Marriage is a great institution, but I'm not ready for an institution yet. Mae West ***

Thanks for all the ideas on this. I am leaning towards letting the adults have their long nap in a guest bedroom where I can close the heating ducts. That should stay cool enough. And I like the idea of syncronizing with forum members. I will really want someone to hold my hand the first time! Thanks for everything!
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Valerie