I can't even keep up! Possible brumation?????

[JanisandJimisparents]

I've been reading all the posts on bd.org for a couple of weeks now, and I never know which way is up.....there are so many different opinions on how to care for/raise/keep healthy beardies!

So, after reading about brumation, I think my male is in the depths.

He's still eating, only superworms-no veggies no matter what I give him....I try everything.
I bathe him every other day to keep him hydrated....neither of my beardies will drink from a dish-I also mist them every couple of days or so. I've read that I probably need a new UVB light and that maybe sand isn't the best substrate for them (however, they love to dig and I would hate to take that away) but....

He is lethargic! I haven't had his poop tested-I live in a VERY rural area, and I am worried that I might be causing him undue harm. His behavior goes from angry to subdued quite frequently, hence my idea that he is in (is experiencing?) brumation. I've also wondered what the average lifespan is for a beardie, and whether or not his age could play a role in his behavior, however, I believe him to be about 5 years old, and from what I've read on this site, 5 years isn't geriatric in the least.

Would I be correct in assuming that brumation is occurring at his age? The entire article I read on this site explained his behavior to a tee, especially because I have a female beardie who continues to be quite healthy and active, with identical living situations, despite her same age (approximately? Rescued both from a 12 year old, age is estimated).

Any feedback is greatly appreciated,
Abby

 

[Lennifer]

Good morning,

He could be lathergic due to improper lighting. What kind of UVB light are u currently using & how old is it? The best recomended UVB light is the ReptiSun 10 & it should be changed out every 6-8 months. It should be the long tube kind & should stretch across the entire length of the enclosure. Proper UVB is extremely important! I would suggest getting the correct one asap as it is crucial for your beardie's health.

Brumation occurs when winter time or the colder months are approaching.

If he's not eatting his greens at all, I would suggest giving him a morning salad & feeding him his live feeders later in the day. If u are feeding him the live feeders first, he may be too full or not as interested in the greens. Just a thought. Plus, he may not be eatting as much due to his lethargy.

WHat kind of sand are u using? Sand is a touchy subject for many here but If u choose to use it, it is best to use sifted play sand....not the calci sand.

~Sandy

 

[Tigg]

Beardies in captivity have been know to live 10+ years with proper care and nutrition.

The most important question here is do you house the male and female together?? If so this could open up the possibilities of many problems, dominance issues?

And are you sure about the sex of both of your beardies?

They do brumate at 5 years old, this time of year is rather unlikely, however it IS possible. The only problem is that brumation often times looks very similar to illness, so most owners reccomend a quick visit to the vet for a fecal test and a check up first. I know you said you are in a rural area, the problem is that after owning your beardies for 5 years, I would think you would be used to brumation as it normally starts at early adulthood, and the fact that you are worried or second guessing yourself, might be a good sign that something is not right. Is it at all possible for you to make a trip to the vet?

What brand of UVB light are you using exactly? and how long has it been since it was purchased?

Most UVB lights have an average lifespan of 6 months before they stop emiting enough UVB that your reptile nees, which would also cause them to display the same anerexic and lethargic signs similar to a dragon going into brumation. There are also many UVB lights on the market that can be dangerous to reptiles so knowing which one you have would be great!

I won't rant about the sand, but is it safe to assume you are using calci sand (usually purchased from pet stores) If so, I would reccomend you at the very leave switch that stuff out for just regular play sand available from your local hardware store, this stuff is much safe. As for the dangers of calcium sand, I urge you to read this article: http://www.herpcenter.com/reptile-diseases/calcium-sand-dangers.html
But your best bet would be to switch to a non particulate substrate, and add a "sand box" to the enclosure, this way they are safe from the dangers of sand throughout normal daily life, but still have the option of digging.

If you are bathing every other day, you can stop misting them in the enclosure, this can cause unneeded stress, as well as raise humidity levels and increase the risk of serious illness.

What are the temps like in your enclosure(s)?

 

[JanisandJimisparents]

Thanks Tig, for all the great advice. I haven't owned my beardies for five years, I'm guesstimating on their age as I rescued them about 2 years ago from a 12 year old. I used to use the crushed walnut shells for substrate (also heard this was bad) and now that I think about it, once I switched to sand, behavior changed. I'm now thinking I'll replace this with tile, and purchase a new "stronger" UVB bulb. An earlier post stated that beardies in captivity can live 10+ years if cared for properly, the thing is, I don't think they were during the beginning stages of life, so I wonder if my beardies are doomed to live a short life. I believe that they are both around 5 years old, however, I also wonder if they could be up to 7 years old and whether or not the one I've been speaking of (Jimi, however, I now believe he to be a she) is just getting old. Do beardies slow down as they age?
Either way, I appreciate the help!