First time brumation

[Justinbarich]

Hey. I'm pretty sure that my bear die is starting brumation as she barely comes out of her cave. The longest she has stayed in her cave and not come out is a week. And she only came out for about 5 or 6 hours.then she goes straight back in for another week. Is this normal? She won't come out to eat the entire time. Should I be worried or is this just natural? This is my first time handling a dragon in brumation.

 

[MsCarter]

I wish I could offer you more help but I have zero experience in this area. Another user should jump in soon and offer you some great advice.

From what I've read this does sound normal. Does she appear to be losing any weight? Has she still been getting water?

 

[Justinbarich]

When She comes out of her cave and I can get a good look at her it doesn't look like she is loosing any weight. And as far as her water goes, she has an exo terra XL water bowl. I change her water everyday. But another issue is she hasn't pooped in 10-14 days. I know that after 2 weeks it is a compaction risk. Should I risk taking her out of her cave and giving her a bath just for safety or should I just assume it's brumation and let nature run its course.

 

[JessPets]

Here is a great article on brumation: https://www.beardeddragon.org/articles/brumation/

 

[Justinbarich]

Thank you very much. That helped a lot. Answered everything

 

[MsCarter]

Glad that article answered your questions. It's great that she isn't losing weight that's one of the big things to keep an eye on during brumation. I'm not sure if they should poop while brumating? I do know if she chooses to eat you will want her to bask for about 2 hours before going back into her cave. Even if she sleeps on her basking platform it's fine, the heat will allow her to properly digest her food. Than she will most likely poo. But if she isn't eating she most likely will not go very often if at all.

Most dragons do not use water bowls. even while brumating it is important to offer water especially since she's not eating and obtaining any moisture through her food. if your dragon will not take the offer or will not wake up for it, giving her a bath a few times a week would be recommended. Once her bath is over she can go right back to sleep

 

[kingofnobbys]

The advice I was given by experienced breeders (who I bought my 4 beardies from over the years) has been keep the young beardies going, warm, and eating and growing over their first 12 months and no brumation in their first winter.

<<< Advice I've been given regarding brumation ( Australian seasons here, north of the equator shift by 6 months )

if they are under 12 months they probably shouldn't brumate as they don't have the reserves to survive months without a feed.So up the heat a little (heat mat/cord or CHE) I don't change the timer.
If they are over 12 months then slowly reduce the hours the lights are on about the end of April/ beginning of May by about 10% till you get to an 8 hour day and the heat lamps to 4-5 hours,once they start to sleep cut back again and by the middle of winter you should be able to turn everything off till September and then do it all in reverse.
Also cut back on their food as you cut back on the light/heat. Do not feed them as they approach brumation(the last couple of weeks).If they are in full brumation DO NOT feed them as it will rot in their guts.Leave water out during brumation but no food unless you notice them out quite often and if you feed them leave lights on as they cannot digest without heat .

 

[Justinbarich]

I was re reading the article recommended to me and I saw that dragons don't see standing water as water they can actually drink. I know it will most likely not help much right now because she is in brumation, but what type of water source should I keep in her tank? Would a waterfall system work as it is not standing water? And if one of those waterfalls is not a good idea then what would be a good product to use?

 

[JessPets]

Waterfalls are not usually a good idea because the raise the humidity too much

 

[SpacialCoogs]

I take my girl out once a week and give her a warm bath. I dribble water on her head and stop when she no longer drinks it. Then she gets covered up and snuggled for a bit before i wrap her in a dry towel and put her back in her hide.

She's been able to keep hydrated well so far.

 

[MsCarter]

I was re reading the article recommended to me and I saw that dragons don't see standing water as water they can actually drink. I know it will most likely not help much right now because she is in brumation, but what type of water source should I keep in her tank? Would a waterfall system work as it is not standing water? And if one of those waterfalls is not a good idea then what would be a good product to use?

You are correct they do not see still water as a water source. In the wild the are able to get moisture when brumating from dew in the soil but in captivity they do not have that option. Misting her face every so often is important and you can give baths as well it's actually recommended from every source I've looked at. You also can offer her food every so often as long as she basks 2 hours afterwords and has a bowl movement before going back in her hide. Some will even sleep on their basking platforms which is fine as well. The food will rot inside of them if they eat and than immediately go back into a hide out to sleep. But if they are able to bask 2 hours afterwords the heat will help them digest their food properly.