Brumation Q

[Desdemona]

So, even though it's way off season my dragon appears to be brumating. However I want to make sure it is just that and not her being ill. Her last poo was pretty normal. She has been showing less and less intrest in searching out food but she would eat if I put her right in front of the food. She is about 14" long, so not a baby but not full grown. I got her around 12" so don't know her age. Her growth seems to be somewhat slow so probably older.

She has taken to laying under her log perch (has a cave like hole under it that she fits under pretty well) and sleeping a lot. I did read that you want her to poo before brumating so tonight when I get home I plan on giving her a bath. She hasn't poo'd in a couple of days and I don't want the stuff to rott in her.

If she poo's normal than is she good to go? She has recently been shedding a lot so I don't know if that set off her brumation or not. Other than the sleepies and lack of food interest she seems normal.. so she should be GTG right? I recently turned the AC on since its been getting hot, so I might have to test and see if it's blowing on her. The cooler house might have her thinking its that time.

 

[AHBD]

Hi Des....what type of heat bulb and UVB bulb do you have ? Proper heat and UVB are essential for their well - being. If the UVB is getting old or weak, that will have an effect on her well - being, feeding and activity level, including sleepiness. Dragons go through phases of sleepiness / lower activity at times for no apparent reason without actually brumating. As long as her temps. + other conditions are good, you don't need to worry. The reason for getting a dragon to have a b.m. before brumation is because the temps. are too low for proper digestion + normal bowel function and you don't want an animal with a full belly or intestine going to sleep in the " cool" weather for potentially several months. What yours is doing is not a true brumation because the temps. are too high, and she most likely will just be snoozing a little off and on at the most and still be able to eat, bask, poo,etc, as normal. Then too, you want to be sure there are no other health issues...parasites, etc.

 

[Desdemona]

I have the usually recommended ReptiSun (I think thats what its called) 10.0. Its 6 months old, I was under the impression they are good for a year, is that right? I put her in the bath this morning after waking her but she didn't poop. She is awake now and she ate a little. I got my order of soft bodied worms so that is what she was feed. I will give her daily baths till she does poo. Then if she wants to snooze for a week its up to her, hehe.

 

[AHBD]

Actually, they are supposed to be changed at 6 months. It may have some effect on her....try a new one and see if there's a change in her behavior.

 

[Desdemona]

Oops, I will order another one today then. Thanks.