brumation???

[princesslttlepddles]

my baby beardie is about 9-10 months old and she went into what we think is an early brumation. we didnt realize that was what it was because we assumed she was too young. she is hiding all day and wont come out to eat or anything. and i just need to know how to take care of her? i have read not to force her out or force her to eat but im just super concerned she will get cold in her hide all day, or shele starve or be extremely dehydrated and the answers im finding online arent definitive enough for me. im super stressed and worried just because i want her to be okay. advice? i would like to avoid the vet if at all possible only because i cant afford it, but i will take her if it is really needed

 

[kingofnobbys]

If you are in the northern hemisphere , check your viv temperatures and the age of the UV source and it's rating %uvb and wattage , I suspect she may be trying to find a cool place.

If you are in the southern hemisphere, bump up the day cycle to 14-16hrs of light and heat per day, and check the viv temperatures are nominal (basking spot about 40oC, warm zone 32oC, cool zone high 26oC.

A 10 month old is too young to be allowed to go into brumation as she should still be getting two live insect feeds per day + greens and is in her peak growth and development age.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

All dragons are different. While it isn't a real common thing for younger dragons brumate, if they are of healthy weight, without other health problems that you know of it's ok to let them brumate at that age.
We have one who brumated at 6 months of age. He was 500 grams at that time & initially I worried so much that I kept him out of it as much as I could. He began to lose weight due to stress. So, I let him brumate & he did for about 4 or so months. When he came out, he finished growing & was perfectly fine.
If you would like to review your tank setup, lighting, etc as well as post some pictures so we can see her size & physical condition, that will help us out.
Sometimes, you just can't beat nature. We just need to be sure there isn't an underlying health problem, first.

Tracie