Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have 2 female curlytail lizards in separate habitats, have had them for about 1 1/2 years. Three weeks ago both burrowed themselves into their substrate and have not emerged to either eat or drink. Prior to this "hibernation?", they acted normally and were robust. Every 4 days I have dug them up (they do not like this) to inspect them ...they look fine and do not appear to have lost any weight.

Is this normal ????? Do they go into long periods of inactivity or should I be really worried?

Hi, first let me say I have never had a curly tail. I do however have many other lizards species. This is the time many will begin to slow down and or begin to brumate. I would like to ask if your temps have dropped in the tanks ? If so raising or getting your temps back up could bring them out. But it could just be normal for this time of year :0)

I do know they are suppose to have a fairly high basking area of 85 to 90 is this about where you have their basking spot? Also their night time temps are in the higher 70's maybe your house temps have gotten cooler in the past few weeks and they have started to brumate. I would only check them every week and offer a few drops of water on their snouts if they will not drink for a dropper. Only be concerned if they appear to be losing weight or appear sickly in any way/ respiratory problems/

Check your temps , and let us know
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PHEve / Eve

Eve ....thank you so much for your reply. After reading up on brumation I am sure that is what has occured. I am totally familiar with hibernation but, since there are no lizards naturally inhabiting my state, I had not heard of brumation.

In any event, the basking spot has remained between 95-100 while nightime temps are now 70-72 whereas they had been closer to 75 in the summer. Daylight hours, of course, have diminished (though I do have a uvb lamp on 12 hours/day) so that is likely the trigger. They do not appear to have lost any weight, and respiration is normal.

The only remaining puzzle is "why didn't they do this last year?" Thanks again.

They may be more mature this year, mating /mates/ eggs are all coming into the picture for them , not sure how old they were when you go them, but thats what I think, they have just matured and instinct takes over.

Now you need a good lookin guy for them . ARE you SURE you have two females?
All My Kids and More

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PHEve / Eve

Absolutely certain they are 2 females, and they were a holy terror when in the same habitat. The younger one (14 months)constantly chased and finally bit a large piece of the older one's (20 months)tail off. Constant catfight.

Sounds like a pair to me! Males will harass the female all day long. They are always mating. I have them wild in my yard. If you have a male, he will get real low to the ground and circle the female, or head bob to another male. I do think your lizards are responding to the natural light cycle, maybe by sensing the humidity change or something. Here in south Fla, they do not brumate, but they will lay low for weeks, and they do get underground just like you are seeing. They can get pretty chunky when well fed, so you should be able to tell if they are needing to eat. If they aren’t, they might not for a while. They are very personable lizards that learn to feed from your hand even in the wild. They seem to be long term residents of their favorite spots. I really like them, post some pictures!