Brumation - Lights Off?

PaigeMe

Member
Hi - I've had my (aprox.) 5 YO Beardie since Dec. I have a Zen Habitats 4 x 2 x 2 with proper lighting and I use a CHE at night as my house gets down to about 60 at night. My question is... he appears to be brumating (he's been in his hide 24/7, eyes closed on and off) for the last 3-4 weeks. I just read a post on EverythingReptiles.com that explained brumation and said to turn all lights and heat OFF when they go into brumation. I thought I read somewhere on here NOT to do that. Mine are set to timers - on 8am, off 8pm.
I just really want to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to for him. Because I'm a newbie, I'm getting very worried that something might be wrong, or that I'm not doing what I need to. UGH - this isn't easy!!!!
Thanks for your help.
Pico 1.jpg
Pico 2.jpg
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Hi - I've had my (aprox.) 5 YO Beardie since Dec. I have a Zen Habitats 4 x 2 x 2 with proper lighting and I use a CHE at night as my house gets down to about 60 at night. My question is... he appears to be brumating (he's been in his hide 24/7, eyes closed on and off) for the last 3-4 weeks. I just read a post on EverythingReptiles.com that explained brumation and said to turn all lights and heat OFF when they go into brumation. I thought I read somewhere on here NOT to do that. Mine are set to timers - on 8am, off 8pm.
I just really want to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to for him. Because I'm a newbie, I'm getting very worried that something might be wrong, or that I'm not doing what I need to. UGH - this isn't easy!!!!
Thanks for your help. View attachment 69735 View attachment 69736
Incorrect basking temps and uvb will immitate brumation behavior- I see the stick on are you using a digital probe thermometer to get actual surface basking temps-- I see a long tube fixture for your uvb- please tell me brand and bulb - they have certain distances for them-- once we get this ruled out we can go on to other causes for the behavior
 

PaigeMe

Member
Original Poster
Hi - UVB is Arcadia Pro T5 22" and is hung inside the top of the cage, zip tied to the top. Basking bulb is Zoo Med 100w and is on top of the screen. Temp gun measured temps: cool side 75, warm side 85, basking spot varies from 104-110.
 

Claudiusx

BD.org Sicko
Staff member
Moderator
It's up to you. I've seen people here do both ways. I've always just left lights on, or cut back on the time by a few hours.

-Brandon
 

KarrieRee

BD.org Sicko
Beardie name(s)
Hiccup he is 6 and Blaze is 4
Hi - UVB is Arcadia Pro T5 22" and is hung inside the top of the cage, zip tied to the top. Basking bulb is Zoo Med 100w and is on top of the screen. Temp gun measured temps: cool side 75, warm side 85, basking spot varies from 104-110.
Basking distance for a T 5 or arcadia is 12-15 inches directly over the basking decor piece-- you might want to bump your cool side up to 80's the 75 is more for a night time temp- middle of tank 90's - see if those make a difference in behavior if it doesnt then I would say hes in a brumation stage -- I would get him out and offer him water - or drip water on his nose see if he will drink - get a weight on him and keep track of him every 2 weeks or so - you can weigh him on a kitchen food scale weigh in grams - if hes dropping weight something is going on - they can lose weight during this time you dont want a lot maybe 20 grams or so -- or they will sustain it
 

PaigeMe

Member
Original Poster
Thank you! I've been giving him a bath every week to 2 weeks, and after that he basks for a bit, then goes right back into his hide. I think I'll back down on lighting by a bit and just keep an eye on him. I'll try to get a weight next time he's out for a bath. Thanks again!
 

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