Brumation-- normal weight loss?

[jkratman]

Hi,

George is about 18 months old. He's 18 inches long and weighs in at about 525 grams.

He's been brumating for about a month now and seems to be losing about a gram a week. Is this too much?

I take him out weekly for a soak. Yesterday, I weighed him both before and after his bath. He had lost about 2 grams in 7 days. After I bathed him, he got about a gram and half back in water weight.

Thoughts? Normal?

He's pretty fat and while he is sleeping pretty deeply, he does wake up and seems normal when I bathe him. The base of his tail is fat and his upper legs are plump.

Thanks!

John

 

[AHBD]

That amount is great, really a non issue. You really don't even consider a difference of a gram , shifting position on the scale can even reflect a gram. By the way, the only way he's getting hydrated is if he drinks....they don't actually absorb water through any other part of their body. Read here :
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjVgvf3gdfKAhUMGD4KHU80Bk8QFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reptilesmagazine.com%2FReptile-Health%2FThe-Vet-Report-Fluid-Therapy-in-Reptiles%2F&usg=AFQjCNH6z6ZX4dI9ILqzaQ6OA-ALoTaoIA&sig2=YSkcrDDhSefcy-8xOnozWQ&bvm=bv.113034660,d.cWw

 

[CooperDragon]

I agree, that's a really tiny percentage and a healthy (almost negligible) amount to lose during brumation. When you have him out to weigh him, drop some water on his nose for him to lick up and he should be in good shape. Doesn't sound like anything to worry about at this point.

 

[jkratman]

Thanks everyone!

 

[AHBD]

You're welcome.