Brumation

[goosegoose]

I am a first time beardie owner so brumation is completely new to me. My beardie is around 8 months old, I think she's about 360 grams, and I've noticed for the past couple of weeks she has been hiding around the corner of her tank, not sleeping just laying there, eating less, and pooping less aswell. I figured out she'd likely started brumation. She does tend to come out of hiding to eat, but as I mentioned this is my first time having a beardie, so it'd be extremely helpful for me if I could have a few questions answered to make sure she stays healthy during this time if she is actually brumating.

-How do I know if she's really starting to brumate? Should I take her to the vet to figure that out?
-How often should I feed her, and what should I feed her?
-Should I keep her UV light on (it's set on a timer) and I'm looking for a new one, so what would be a really good UV light?
-What's the best way to make sure she's hydrated?

I really just want to make sure I don't end up hurting her in some way if she is going through brumation, I hope these can be answered

 

[KarrieRee]

I am a first time beardie owner so brumation is completely new to me. My beardie is around 8 months old, I think she's about 360 grams, and I've noticed for the past couple of weeks she has been hiding around the corner of her tank, not sleeping just laying there, eating less, and pooping less aswell. I figured out she'd likely started brumation. She does tend to come out of hiding to eat, but as I mentioned this is my first time having a beardie, so it'd be extremely helpful for me if I could have a few questions answered to make sure she stays healthy during this time if she is actually brumating.

-How do I know if she's really starting to brumate? Should I take her to the vet to figure that out?
-How often should I feed her, and what should I feed her?
-Should I keep her UV light on (it's set on a timer) and I'm looking for a new one, so what would be a really good UV light?
-What's the best way to make sure she's hydrated?

I really just want to make sure I don't end up hurting her in some way if she is going through brumation, I hope these can be answered

What kind of UVB are you using now? If its a coil please get it changed out as soon as possible- you want one of these for a 40+ gallon tank
try Pet Smart if you have one for this one you want the 12% bulb
24 watt Arcadia Reptile ProT5 UV-B Kit | reptile Light Fixtures | PetSmart you should be able to order on line
or this one you will need to change the bulb out to a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 for the Sunblaster Nanotech Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO
you want the 2 ft or 24" https://hydrobuilder.com/brands/sunblaster/sunblaster-nanotech-t5-ho-fixture-with-6400k-lamp.html
or if you find the 24" Zoo Med fixture it will come w/ a 5.0 bulb you want the Reptisun 10.0 as posted above- these seem to be sold out everywhere tho
Keep an eye on her follow her lead but you must make sure everything in her tank is up to par -- UVB and surface basking temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer - 95-100 if anything is off in the tank her behavior could be mimicking brumation -- no she doesnt need to go to the vet to determine if shes brumating -- they usually dont eat in brumtion -- if its full brumation - they can semi brumate where they will sleep for a week and come out bask maybe eat and go back to sleep -- but we need to make sure your tank lighting and temps are good

 

[fcooper]

What kind of UVB are you using now? If its a coil please get it changed out as soon as possible- you want one of these for a 40+ gallon tank
try Pet Smart if you have one for this one you want the 12% bulb
24 watt Arcadia Reptile ProT5 UV-B Kit | reptile Light Fixtures | PetSmart you should be able to order on line
or this one you will need to change the bulb out to a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 for the Sunblaster Nanotech Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO
you want the 2 ft or 24" https://hydrobuilder.com/brands/sunblaster/sunblaster-nanotech-t5-ho-fixture-with-6400k-lamp.html
or if you find the 24" Zoo Med fixture it will come w/ a 5.0 bulb you want the Reptisun 10.0 as posted above- these seem to be sold out everywhere tho
Keep an eye on her follow her lead but you must make sure everything in her tank is up to par -- UVB and surface basking temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer - 95-100 if anything is off in the tank her behavior could be mimicking brumation -- no she doesnt need to go to the vet to determine if shes brumating -- they usually dont eat in brumtion -- if its full brumation - they can semi brumate where they will sleep for a week and come out bask maybe eat and go back to sleep -- but we need to make sure your tank lighting and temps are good

thanks

 

[goosegoose]

What kind of UVB are you using now? If its a coil please get it changed out as soon as possible- you want one of these for a 40+ gallon tank
try Pet Smart if you have one for this one you want the 12% bulb
24 watt Arcadia Reptile ProT5 UV-B Kit | reptile Light Fixtures | PetSmart you should be able to order on line
or this one you will need to change the bulb out to a 22" Reptisun 10.0 T 5 for the Sunblaster Nanotech Zoo Med ReptiSun 10.0 UVB T5 HO
you want the 2 ft or 24" https://hydrobuilder.com/brands/sunblaster/sunblaster-nanotech-t5-ho-fixture-with-6400k-lamp.html
or if you find the 24" Zoo Med fixture it will come w/ a 5.0 bulb you want the Reptisun 10.0 as posted above- these seem to be sold out everywhere tho
Keep an eye on her follow her lead but you must make sure everything in her tank is up to par -- UVB and surface basking temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer - 95-100 if anything is off in the tank her behavior could be mimicking brumation -- no she doesnt need to go to the vet to determine if shes brumating -- they usually dont eat in brumtion -- if its full brumation - they can semi brumate where they will sleep for a week and come out bask maybe eat and go back to sleep -- but we need to make sure your tank lighting and temps are good

Ok thank you! for feeding her should i put some veggies and a roach or two in her cage in case she does wants to eat?

 

[KarrieRee]

Ok thank you! for feeding her should i put some veggies and a roach or two in her cage in case she does wants to eat?

Most 8 month olds do not brumate-- please go over your uvb and yes leave food for her

 

[AHBD]

True that most 8 month beardies don't do a full brumation but they can go in to a sleepy slow down mode. It would be good to go over the lighting though as suggested. I'm sure Goose will be O.K. though.

 

[RockyinColorado]

My beardie is eight months old and I think he’s in brumation too. If that’s the case, do we keep the basking lights on when theyre sleeping?

 

[xp29]

You can shorten their daylight hours but i wouldn't turn them off completely.

 

[KarrieRee]

My beardie is eight months old and I think he’s in brumation too. If that’s the case, do we keep the basking lights on when theyre sleeping?

in correct temps and UVB can cause brumation like behavior --- please post a new thread so we can help you