Brumation

[TheBeard9789]

Hey guys well good news and bad news I been giving my Chubbs 10 roaches 2 times a week and here and there Butterworms. Brought him to the vet and he gained 0.08G now hes 758G total even though hes eating 2 times a week though his energy has changed drastically. He is more sluggish and wont chase food or eat anything but bugs my Vet said he may be stocking up for the winter. Now I'm confused bc I didnt know Brumation could happen again he has already had 1 Brumation last winter is this something to worry about? He is only active after a bath cuz I put him under his light and he warms up. Sometimes he will wanna come out but lately just goes to his hide (even my female can't temp him out of his enclosure). He doesnt always sleep he will stick his head out and look around but not move much just sorta sluggish temp is right uvb is right day/nighttime is right hes hydrated I just worry its the weight issue

 

[KarrieRee]

So is it going into winter where you are now? I am not sure if weight is playing a part in the sluggishness hes feeling- I know we are in fall now and my one dragon has really been lazy the last few weeks doing a lot of sleeping -- but hes moving around sleeping in different spots in the tank -- and hes still basking as well -- how old is the UVB bulb and is he doing any basking? What kind of UVB are you using and is it on top of the screen on in the tank ? We always start w/ lighting first and basking temps what are they are how are you taking them? NO stick ons please - before we say brumation we want to rule those things out first

 

[TheBeard9789]

So is it going into winter where you are now? I am not sure if weight is playing a part in the sluggishness hes feeling- I know we are in fall now and my one dragon has really been lazy the last few weeks doing a lot of sleeping -- but hes moving around sleeping in different spots in the tank -- and hes still basking as well -- how old is the UVB bulb and is he doing any basking? What kind of UVB are you using and is it on top of the screen on in the tank ? We always start w/ lighting first and basking temps what are they are how are you taking them? NO stick ons please - before we say brumation we want to rule those things out first

I'm on the east coast his temp is around 80 ambient basking is 95+ uvb bulb is brand new (2 months if that) Reptisun 10.0 and inside his tank. I'm also getting a arcadia soon which is stronger and last longer he is active but is mainly in his hide he peeks his head out a lot. I can usually temp him out with food I also use a temp gun to check temps he stopped basking about 2-3 weeks ago he will bask after a bath. Though he isnt sleeping all day he is "active" but only to change positions or between his hides but is alert and attentive. He did go in to Brumation last winter and I had to wait till spring for him to be his self again this was proven by my vet I took him their once a month during it and didnt know what "Brumation" was at the time scared the crap outta me

 

[KarrieRee]

The UVB bulb is a T 5 or a T 8 certain distance for these bulbs--- and your basking decor is a solid piece for basking not a hammock --- temp guns do not read off of hammocks -- you would need a digital probe thermometer -- if you dont have one I recommend you get one -- they are the most accurate as IR guns do not read off of certain material hammocks being one of them -- it sounds like he is slowing / gearing down for the winter - just want to get the UVB and basking temps corrected if need be than we can rule in the brumation thing coming on --- he is eating that is good --- how long does he usually brumate for?

 

[TheBeard9789]

The UVB bulb is a T 5 or a T 8 certain distance for these bulbs--- and your basking decor is a solid piece for basking not a hammock --- temp guns do not read off of hammocks -- you would need a digital probe thermometer -- if you dont have one I recommend you get one -- they are the most accurate as IR guns do not read off of certain material hammocks being one of them -- it sounds like he is slowing / gearing down for the winter - just want to get the UVB and basking temps corrected if need be than we can rule in the brumation thing coming on --- he is eating that is good --- how long does he usually brumate for?

Its a T8 about 8-10 inches from his basking platform the platform is a type of hard hard plastic it holds the heat fairly well I have 1 for both of my beardies. I use the gun for both cool and hot sides I do have a few probes but not fond of them so I dont use them its mainly the whole probe wire being around and dont wanna use tape to hold it in place. He is and has always been a good eater picky but good and last brumation lasted about 4-5 months. I fed him throughout the brumation stage just in case he decided to get hungry and he is well hydrated I give both of my beardies at least 3 baths a week and even when he was brumating he still got a bath 3 times a week whether he wanted it or not ?

 

[KarrieRee]

the 8-10 inches is too far for a T 8 it needs to be 6-8 inches directly above --- the 3 times a week for baths is too much you can dry the scales out -- dragons do not need baths that often --- I would use the probe you do not need to leave it there place for 10 min get the temp remove spot check every so often -- 4-5 months is too long for brumation 3 tops --- if hes brumating that long there is something else going on --- if they are brumating its best to leave them alone checking on them every couple of weeks -- weighing to make sure they are not losing weight and hydrating at that time --- offering water -- they will drink if they are thirsty - they mainly get their hydration out of the salads they are eating but if they are brumating they should not be eating thats when water should be offered
https://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/?page=1

 

[TheBeard9789]

the 8-10 inches is too far for a T 8 it needs to be 6-8 inches directly above --- the 3 times a week for baths is too much you can dry the scales out -- dragons do not need baths that often --- I would use the probe you do not need to leave it there place for 10 min get the temp remove spot check every so often -- 4-5 months is too long for brumation 3 tops --- if hes brumating that long there is something else going on --- if they are brumating its best to leave them alone checking on them every couple of weeks -- weighing to make sure they are not losing weight and hydrating at that time --- offering water -- they will drink if they are thirsty - they mainly get their hydration out of the salads they are eating but if they are brumating they should not be eating thats when water should be offered
https://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/?page=1

4-5 months was incorrect just noticed that I was like 4-5 wait what? It was 3 months but took him a bit to be active all over again. And the thing with the baths its only about 5-15 mins per soak sometimes less just to get him hydrated and passes his stool during his bath only way he actually goes wont go in his enclosure or outside his enclosure only during his bath. I did talk to the vet he said 2-3 baths a week is fine neither of my beardies like misting/spraying no idea why but they just don't. Neither eat salad either i mean its always there for them to munch if they choose to and they do here and there but both beardies are just picky. The UVB T8 is set up that its 8-10 inches from the basking spot WITHOUT the beardie being there I should of explained that better my fault when he is there basking he is much closure to the UVB. When he is basking he is at least 6 inches from the bulb soaking it in. I have the T5 Arcadia's coming in the next couple days for that very reason I will know they both are getting the proper UVB/UVA out put needed

NOTE: The T8 is 18 Inches fluorescent bulb and its to the side of the platform not above sense its not a compact bulb if I put it right above both my beardies they wouldnt get much UVB thats why its inside and 6-8 inches when they are basking

 

[KarrieRee]

You have two separate tanks or two dragons in the same tank ?

 

[TheBeard9789]

You have two separate tanks or two dragons in the same tank ?

Sorry 1 male "Chubbs" and 1 female "Amber" both in separate enclosures and side by side so they cant see each other and also separate baths as well. Only time they are in contact with each other is if I take them both out for a few to hang out and socialize

 

[KarrieRee]

Unless you want babies I recommend not! Split second is all it takes- when you get the Arcadia distance needs to be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor

 

[TheBeard9789]

Unless you want babies I recommend not! Split second is all it takes- when you get the Arcadia distance needs to be 12-15 inches directly above the basking decor

Ya when he came out of his Brumation period he got a little feisty and at that time she was not even a year old so they I didnt take both out together. But she now holds her own very well though they are always under supervision and sometimes it gets a bit heated ie nudging bumping tail waving bobbing arm waving and puffing up. No mounting or biting or anything like that thankfully he may be a big older male but he is submissive more often than she is

 

[AHBD]

Dragon Momma can you start your own thread ? That way the responses won't get mixed up. I've had quite a few dragons that all brumated over the years, it's totally normal and nothing to worry about. You don't need to see a vet.

O.P. no dragon needs to be soaked at all during brumation, just offer water with a syringe every 2 weeks if he's awake and wants a drink.

 

[beardie]

[Moved Dragon Mama's reply to its own thread]