Do Bearded Dragons Get Hyper After Brumation?

[Selkie1993]

Hi Everyone!

Drogon has been in a sleepy state for at least 2 months now. He wasn't fully brumating, but would sleep on and off for five days, come out to eat and bask for 2, then go back in. He's been extra picky with bugs and salad too.

Yesterday, he came out of brumating/napping, so I left him alone, but today he seemed in a good mood so I took him out. After he pooped (seems normal, not much since he hasn't been eating) he started getting hyper and running around the house, climbing behind stuff. Drogon normally always has a greyish beard (he's done this since puberty) but today his beard was black o_o

Do beardies get hyper after brumation? Why is he black bearding?
Also, tank conditions have remained the same.

Thanks
Selkie

[CooperDragon]

Yes! My guy is still running around the house like a nut and surfing the walls of the house. They get a surge of hormones after brumation that puts them into hyper mode for a while. They don't tend to prioritize food and will often lose a bit of weight during this period which is normal due to the increased energy. Once they calm down again their appetite should come back and weight should return to normal. I see this behavior every year after Darwin comes out of brumation.

[Selkie1993]

Thank you for the quick reply!
I really appreciate it. I know blackbearding is a red flag, but I was sure it was just his hyper mood.
He already tired himself out and is asleep behind my husband's desk xD

Also, do they restrict how much water they're drinking? He's always been a pain with water, but seems to have no interest in it when I drip it on his nose. In fact, he closes his eyes and shakes like please stop human mom!

Selkie

[CooperDragon]

Yeah they tend to be restless and not tolerate much like having a drink. That should calm back down after a bit. Darwin doesn't have much patience for my nonsense & harassment right now either

[HippieLizards]

1000%. My dragons will do a mini brumation for a month or two a few times a year and then BOOM, they’re all going insane. Currently, everyone except for rocket is being extremely hyper. It’s insane.

I think Rocket is starting to Brumate though, so he’s just kinda been chilling around.

But yeah, my dragons are almost always hyperactive, especially after brumation. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Selkie1993]

Hi Cooper,

I wanted to reach out again and ask if Drogon's behavior is still within the realm of normal brumation behavior.
The day after he acted like a maniac, he went down into his burrow again for a couple of days. Lately, he's not truly brumating, but just napping and coming out to bask, and repeat. No real interest in food and when I sprayed his snout with water, he got annoyed.

When do dragons truly come out of this behavior? I'm just hoping nothing serious is going on:/

A worried Selkie

[CooperDragon]

It varies between them really. The process happens over several months in my case. It may take several weeks for Drogon to really start to wake up for good.

[Selkie1993]

All right, I'll give it more time.
My only concern is dehydration and not getting enough nutrients, but I suppose they're used to it when brumating?

Thanks again for your help and I'll keep this updated
Selkie