Reptile & Amphibian Forums

for the past few weeks now they have been really lazy.. not waiting to eat, drink, nothing. They dont hide (both tanks have 2-3 seperate hide spots but they are not interested in those). They wake up with the lights come on, bask for a bit then do the glass run on and off for a hour or two then usually wedge themselves between a stick and the glass (the juvi) and the big boy just lays on the bottom in the shade underneith a big stick on the hot side. Usually they are pretty active and the only thing that worrys me is the fact that they arent eating.. its like they are in "half-brumation" or something since they are active during the day. They havnt eaten anything big besides a few bugs here and there and havnt went to the bathroom for a while now so I'm starting to get worried.

I just had my big male downstairs soaking in a tub and I left him for a good 25 minutes and went to pick him up. He started gaping for air like he was choking or something and then started thrashing around and like threw up on me or something. A slimy substance came out of his mouth and went everywhere and in the substance was about 8 un-digested mealworms that I gave him almost 3 days ago?! what is up with that?

Can anybody help me with this PLEASE?!

Other then the lazyness and the lack of appetite they are normal.. My big boy is in the cage now basking and bobbing his head like CRAZY while the smaller girl is basking as well, but just like relaxing.. The only thing that is starting to worry me is the fact that they havnt pooped in a while now. Any remedies for this besides soaking? The temps and everything are perfect!

Sounds like they are slowing down for winter. (burmation) When a beardie actually burmates its not like a mammel. They dont go to sleep for the whole winter. They simply just get lazy and slow down. their metabolism slows down dramaticly and often they stop eating all together, although they will eat and drink a little here and there. I wouldnt worry to much. just leave them be and they will become more active and gain their appitite again near spring. Just becarefull with the crickets. If they dont eat them then they can hurt the dragons. Anyways good luck!

peace,
nate

Thanks Nate!

I dont feed crix in the cage as I had a problem with them chewing on my small female and now a very small patch of scales on her neck look wierd since they grew back different.

I was just worried with my small female as she almost looks bloated now so I'm going to keep soaking her until I get a bowel movement. Right now she is sitting high on her stick under the UVB sleeping. Looks normal just the whole appetite thing gets me as my big Male has never brumated before. Maybe because he see's her doing it, it figured it might be worth a shot? lol

He has managed to bury himself under the shelf liner in a corner and is curled up in a ball using it as a blanket hehehe

Oh well I will just have to keep an eye on them I guess. Thanks!