Brumation??

I've owned my beardie for about 3/4 weeks now, and I'm just wondering when he'll go into brumation? He's 2 years old, a good weight and in good shape. I live in the UK, and right now temperatures are averaging about 68 degrees (Fahrenheit).

Over the past few days, I've noticed he's become a little more lazy, in that he sleeps/lies around a bit more often. Before, he used to scratch at the walls of his tank constantly and tap at the glass to come out, or move from his basking spot and climb around on his logs. He hasn't been doing that for the past couple of days, he just digs a small spot in his substrate (currently sand but will be changed tomorrow) and settles down for hours. He's fine with being handled and being let out in my room, and two days ago he had a massive increase in appetite which has reduced back down to normal now (he doesn't eat much usually). He is shedding a little bit, and he had a loose scale on his tail this morning that looked dark red, and came off easily when I knocked it with my finger (I'm not sure whether it was stained from his tomatoes because he sits in his food bowl often).

Is it possible he's going into brumation, or something like that? I don't really understand the whole process of brumation and what I'm supposed to do if that's the case. His beard is always a nice bright orange, so I don't think he's ill or feeling unwell.

beaniethebeardie":fklgp4ib said:

I don't really understand the whole process of brumation and what I'm supposed to do if that's the case.

Click to expand...

I'm not sure anyone does--even the dragons! :lol:

Brumation is nothing to worry about; you don't have to do much--just make sure water & occasional food are available, keep an eye out for anything abnormal (stool, behavior, appearance, etc.) in the event it's something else, and possibly change the lighting. I expect in the UK he may brumate, but it seems a bit early (or late; some brumate according to your seasons; some according to their--Australian--seasons). Different individuals can have different (long/short) brumations, and some don't at all. Lots of threads here on the subject; try the search facility, and skip the ads... :wink:

Hello,

It is highly possible he is trying to slow down due to the seasons. If the days are getting shorter
as they are here in the US, that's usually what sparks them to slow down.
As long as he isn't losing weight, lethargic to the point where he is acting ill or has a dark beard,
he should be fine. You could always consider getting a fecal done on him to be sure he doesn't
have worms or parasites.
Are you using a good UVB light for him?

Tracie

I agree with Tracie that you should take a fecal to be checked for parasites because a parasite infestation can mimic brumation so it's important to have that done first before deciding that it is indeed brumation.

You can read the article on this website about brumation --------under Articles Behavior and Anatomy on left side of this page called Bearded Dragon Brumation and I think there is a article on the front page of this website
Karrie

Yes you're right Karrie, that's a good article, another moderator wrote it a while back

I thought he was going into brumation, but today he seems perfectly normal, napping a lot less and being a bit more active. So I’m very confused haha

They also can just simply go through moods. Just like us some days are better than others lol.
It's good to be proactive about it, but there isnt always and answer

-Brandon