Early brumation

[SkittlesK]

I have my bearded dragon here. and he's looking sleepy.
This is his 2nd year and 4 months early since last year, he's falling asleep.
I think he is going into early brumation.

What are the chances.?
Last year, he fell asleep Aug-Dec.

It's April and it's somewhat concerning.
He's not losing any weight.

My question is can bearded dragons fall asleep 4 months earlier than before.?

 

[SkittlesK]

Basically it's April.
Last year he fell asleep in August
So it's 3-4 months early Brumation.

Anyone.?

 

[Chris.]

Sounds odd, does he show any other signs?
Mine are a little sleepy right now too, my girl went to her sleeping branch over two hours prior to lights out. So did my boy the whole week, yet for some reason he is still under the lamp 10 min prior to lights out today...

 

[SkittlesK]

Other signs are he's on the cool side sleeping.
Every time I move him he goes back to bed on the cold side.

Technically he's been up about 5-6 months.

I can also try feeder insects but he's not losing weight so far.

 

[Chris.]

Your temps are stable?

Sure sounds like brumation or at least a slowdown phase and technically he could. Since you wrote aug-dec I assumed he wasn't even really awake for four full months....

 

[SkittlesK]

Yeah.
Temps are stable.

I will check weight in a week.
I will also offer bugs and see what he does.

Anyone else want to ping in on this topic.?
Thanks.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

You have asked a great question regarding brumation, & early brumation. I think a lot of them
tend to brumate earlier in the year here in the US but it isn't recognized as that. I have had several
who have brumated in late spring/early summer & slept until late fall to early winter. They have all
been perfectly fine.
My thoughts are that they have an innate instinct to brumate in the wintertime. So, since they are
genetically from Australia their instinct is connected to their original heritage. Just my thoughts, but
I can't honestly think of another explanation.
It is very frustrating since the days lengthen out & it gets warm outside.....but they want to sleep.
As long as the weight is stable & there isn't any indication of dehydration or blackbearding then it
is usually best to let them brumate. A lot of vets mistake brumation for something else & try to give
medications which makes them ill.
Do you have pictures of him?

Tracie

 

[SkittlesK]

EDIT:
He has not gone into brumation yet.

He was chilling on the cold side.

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

Oh ok, so he is just being lazy then? They will do
that from time to time but not necessarily going into
a brumation.

Tracie

 

[SkittlesK]

Yeah.
He's doing a bit of growing this year & I'm getting some water in him.

 

[Drache613]

Hello!

That's great he is growing this year. It sounds like he is doing well overall then. Keep us posted
on him!

Tracie

 

[SkittlesK]

Update:
weight seems unchanged; not eating
500 grams-Def. Not feeding super worms anymore...

EDIT: 497grams
It will be good if he loses 5-10 grams, I will watch him.
Another thing, He used to eat from his bowl. now he is not.

Can I use a curtain on his tank...? So I can't see him and he can't see me.?

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

He looks so sweet there, & sleepy. If you would like, you can use a curtain on his tank, or simply
let him rest or sleep in a little cave in his tank. It is up to you. He might appreciate being able to
see you though if he is awake during the day, etc.

Tracie

 

[SkittlesK]

Thanks.
I'll probably get the privacy curtain.
This is the one I am getting if anyone else is interested: Etsy adhesive privacy curtain

 

[ChileanTaco]

Hello,

He looks so sweet there, & sleepy. If you would like, you can use a curtain on his tank, or simply
let him rest or sleep in a little cave in his tank. It is up to you. He might appreciate being able to
see you though if he is awake during the day, etc.

Tracie

Mine seems to appreciate that. On sunnier days, he's coming out a little - not fully, but head out of his cave - and watches us a bit. I then look at him, but intentionally not interacting more with him.
Otherwise, I just let him alone (luckily I don't have to be in the room the enclosure is for other things than eating dinner; when I eat breakfast, he now always is deep asleep).