Anyone going through brumation fever? :D

[Selkie1993]

Hi everyone!

Lily has caught the brumation fever bug lol. Super lethargic, not basking, not eating much. She's not losing any weight though! and shes been checking out her hides, which she never does! Is anyone else's dragons going through the same thing?

Also, some refresher questions I have:
1) lights on or off?
2) should she be offered food if she's still technically awake but just acting sleepy?
3) should I try to get her to poop?

Thanks!
Selkie

 

[xp29]

Hi everyone!

Lily has caught the brumation fever bug lol. Super lethargic, not basking, not eating much. She's not losing any weight though! and shes been checking out her hides, which she never does! Is anyone else's dragons going through the same thing?

Also, some refresher questions I have:
1) lights on or off?
2) should she be offered food if she's still technically awake but just acting sleepy?
3) should I try to get her to poop?

Thanks!
Selkie

Sinatra seems to be really nappy lately and hasn't eaten in a few days, he has not been in his hide but he has been napping beside it a lot.
Lights: if she is still awake, lights on but you can shorten the on time per day if you want.
Food: I personally offer food everyday, greens are in the habitat all day. I offer protein if they eat fine, if they don't fine also.
Poop: as long as she is awake and still getting some basking time ...... poop happens (sorry I couldn't resist lol)

 

[Chris.]

My female is still good but the male started this as well. Sleepy, not basking much, digging.
Right now he is eating fine though and from last years experience, he will stop eating on his own when he's ready.

The lights are on for 12h until the days get shorter than that, at which point I'll sync the timer with sunrise and sunset.
As soon as he'll be asleep, I'll turn off the basking bulb and only keep the uvb or a led on the timer to provide some kind of day/night rhythm for them. Also I'll move them to the bedroom to make sure it gets at least down in the low to mid 60s during their brumation.

 

[xp29]

My female is still good but the male started this as well. Sleepy, not basking much, digging.
Right now he is eating fine though and from last years experience, he will stop eating on his own when he's ready.

The lights are on for 12h until the days get shorter than that, at which point I'll sync the timer with sunrise and sunset.
As soon as he'll be asleep, I'll turn off the basking bulb and only keep the uvb or a led on the timer to provide some kind of day/night rhythm for them. Also I'll move them to the bedroom to make sure it gets at least down in the low to mid 60s during their brumation.

Another thing you can do is use the basking light to simulate day/night cycle and save the uvb bulb as it's consumable.

 

[Chris.]

Another thing you can do is use the basking light to simulate day/night cycle and save the uvb bulb as it's consumable.

Mhmm, for my own setup that will get the temps to high for a proper brumation. I'm not trying to breed them but I still want my nights close to the 60F and days in the mid 70s. The uvb tube will provide a little heat and some uva and uvb rays if they choose to come out from time to time. Not enough to really bask but enough to warm up a bit.
But if you switch the bulb for something really dim, this will work as well.

 

[Selkie1993]

Sinatra seems to be really nappy lately and hasn't eaten in a few days, he has not been in his hide but he has been napping beside it a lot.
Lights: if she is still awake, lights on but you can shorten the on time per day if you want.
Food: I personally offer food everyday, greens are in the habitat all day. I offer protein if they eat fine, if they don't fine also.
Poop: as long as she is awake and still getting some basking time ...... poop happens (sorry I couldn't resist lol)

LOL I know, but she hasn't been pooping as frequently so I'm not sure if I should just wait or try to encourage her?

 

[Selkie1993]

My female is still good but the male started this as well. Sleepy, not basking much, digging.
Right now he is eating fine though and from last years experience, he will stop eating on his own when he's ready.

The lights are on for 12h until the days get shorter than that, at which point I'll sync the timer with sunrise and sunset.
As soon as he'll be asleep, I'll turn off the basking bulb and only keep the uvb or a led on the timer to provide some kind of day/night rhythm for them. Also I'll move them to the bedroom to make sure it gets at least down in the low to mid 60s during their brumation.

That's awesome! We wouldn't have room in our bedroom to do this, but yeah, she's come off her food and just wants to nap. Not full brumation yet!

 

[xp29]

LOL I know, but she hasn't been pooping as frequently so I'm not sure if I should just wait or try to encourage her?

I'd let her go on her own personally.

 

[Selkie1993]

I'd let her go on her own personally.

Sounds good! I don't like doing all the stomach massages and baths. Such a production for them. She's just been a lethargic girl with some naps but not full brumation. For a few hours during the day she sits up on Drogon's old hammock and cuddles on a pet-friendly heating pad (don't worry, I watch the temps closely). I was actually crying yesterday. It was bittersweet to see her on Drogon's old favorite place <3

 

[xp29]

Sounds good! I don't like doing all the stomach massages and baths. Such a production for them. She's just been a lethargic girl with some naps but not full brumation. For a few hours during the day she sits up on Drogon's old hammock and cuddles on a pet-friendly heating pad (don't worry, I watch the temps closely). I was actually crying yesterday. It was bittersweet to see her on Drogon's old favorite place <3

I can relate, I've reused some decor and if I look at it to closely I get chocked up sometimes.

 

[Rocky2022]

Rocky is in hiding. He peeks out but he isn't sleeping. He's in his hide. He hasn't eaten in days but one day I put a worm in there, he ate it.
He hasn't eaten or pooped since. I let him be.


Ruby hid one day but it's because he was pouting. He's out and about. I was a bit concern as he's one but we are a o k.

 

[Rocky2022]

All I needed to do was post here. Look who came out this morning!! ♥
I was so excited. My day has gotten 50000x better ☺ notice the head nod, omg

 

[xp29]

Wow, Rocky amazes me every time. He is such a smart and good boy.

 

[Rocky2022]

Wow, Rocky amazes me every time. He is such a smart and good boy.

He has zoomies. I'm exhausted chasing him, around the room. He's in his enclosure now trying to break out.

 

[xp29]

He has zoomies. I'm exhausted chasing him, around the room. He's in his enclosure now trying to break out.

Com'on mom lets play