Need some documentation on the cool down period

[sddragons]

I want to learn more about this. Can someone point me in the right direction where I can read up on this?

Thanks.....

 

[zebraflavencs]

Are you speaking of Brumation, or the over night period ?
Sorry, a tad gray and Blond lol
Janie.

 

[sddragons]

Well not actually sure. I just hear people talking about a cool down period at the end of the year before breeding season. And doesn't brumation just take place naturally?

Are you speaking of Brumation, or the over night period ?
Sorry, a tad gray and Blond lol
Janie.

 

[zebraflavencs]

It depends on the dragon, and yes, the cooling down period is indeed the brumation period.
Many breeders will breed age appropriate dragons right after they wake from brumation, as the males and females are more receptive towards the opposite sex. That's why the first babies hatch out in late winter to early spring
Janie.

 

[sddragons]

OK great so this is what I am looking for here. I am looking for some documentation on the "when and how" to do all this so I can prepare if necessary.

It depends on the dragon, and yes, the cooling down period is indeed the brumation period.
Many breeders will breed age appropriate dragons right after they wake from brumation, as the males and females are more receptive towards the opposite sex. That's why the first babies hatch out in late winter to early spring
Janie.

 

[zebraflavencs]

I have yet to experience the loss of dragons ( due to them sleeping all the time) however, I have been told by many here, as well as the breeder I was fortunate to acquire Orion and Gemini from, that this year they may or may not brumate, however next year 2010, they most likely will brumate, as they will be around the 2 year age.
So what are you preparing for ? The actual brumation, or the increased sexual activity that follows ?
Janie.

 

[sddragons]

I don't know. I just keep hearing breeders talk about this and about cutting off the lights and heat and things like that. That's what I am trying to find out is the procedure to all of this. There has to be some kind of art to this right?
But yes, I want have a good breeding season next year and I hear this will really helps out to do a cooldown period so I just want to find out when and how to proceed with all of this.

I have yet to experience the loss of dragons ( due to them sleeping all the time) however, I have been told by many here, as well as the breeder I was fortunate to acquire Orion and Gemini from, that this year they may or may not brumate, however next year 2010, they most likely will brumate, as they will be around the 2 year age.
So what are you preparing for ? The actual brumation, or the increased sexual activity that follows ?
Janie.

 

[zebraflavencs]

Ah. Okay, basically it happens in late fall, early winter, depending on the dragon.
The dragon will start to sleep more, away from lights, not want to eat or drink. I have read, and have been advised, to have a fecal at this time, since parasites tend to mirror the same behaviors in dragons. If you get an all clean, then turn off the lights, and let them sleep. Just wake them once a week for a lovely soak and bask, then off to nighty night again.
This period of time can last as little as a month to as long as 4-5 months.
So you are planning on breeding next year ? How old will your dragons be ?

Hope this helps out!
Janie.

 

[RedInkAus]

G'day

Cooling for mating purposes prctised in OZ over winter (different practise to just letting the animals brumate)

Lighting 4-5 hours tops
Temps no more than 22-25C for the day time
Night time temps as low as 10- 14C
Provide a burrow (if on loose substrates) or a log big enough for them to hide in.
Feed daily (no live prey) with these low temps you will never see them anyway but just in case they wake up salad must be available. The live prey will eat a sleeping dragon if left in the enclosure as they are in a deep sleep.

Note: Some people may say the temps are too low but i assure you these are actually higher temps than what they would experience in the wild over winter so they will survive these temps. (Cooling temps are diffrent to winter brumation temps)

Once late winter/spring comes slowly raise the temp by five degrees as well as lighting duration by about 30 mins until 8hr day is reached over a period of a month until the dragons become fully active then mating can commence. The increments of the increase in temps and lighting duration is not an exact week to week basis it's up to you and the dragon to work that out (basically try and replicate the natural increase of the season).

Hope that helps mate,