The Brumation Situation...*cue dramatic music*

[MamaTater]

I've been getting Stuart all ready for his Great Deep Sleep and everything is "fine" for the most part. We've hit a few snags but we've "got down to it". Stuart was given a dose of wormer to be taken a week after his first dose at the docs. Well, it grew mold and another dose had to be sent to us. By the time we got it it was a full week after it was due to be taken. Doc assured me this was no big deal, it would still be effective. Ok, that's all well and good. In the meantime Stuart's stopped eating, his temps are cooled on schedule and he's ready and raring to go.
But
I can't get a hold of any sand. I mean this place is out of it, that place is insanely expensive and the other place isn't hardly ever open. Ok, poor planning on my part, I'll accept that and it will never happen again. :roll: Scouts honor.
I feel I just can't put Stuart off any longer so I put a couple of his blankets in a 10 gall., got him all tucked in and kinda covered it with dark cloth to make it dark but still left a good gap for ventilation. My question is this.. should I still pursue the sand and just sorta make a swift change whenever I get some? Or is this sufficient? Should I be concerned with moisture and mold?
Our first official brumation. I'm a little nervous. Possibly over-thinking. This is new to me and I don't want to screw it up. Also, how often should I check on him and what should I check for to make sure he's having a good "holiday"?
I don't really think this is quite a behavior or enclosure issue, apologies if under the wrong topic. Many Thanks for the brain-picking

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....so it's time for Stuart to go to sleep ? The way I do it is just leave them in their tanks, add extra newspaper and they always just scratch it up + go under it to sleep. Some owners do put them in a different container [ but there's no need to ] and some use a towel or small blanket. There's no need to use sand at all. As for offering water, just check to see if he's awake....then you can offer water about every 7-10 days but be sure that he and his towel or newspaper are 100% dried after. The advantage of leaving a beardie in his tank is that if they decide to just do a partial brumation and want to come out to bask then they can. All temps. in the tank can be reduced on hot and cool end by about 10 degrees.

 

[MamaTater]

Thanks! I just put him in a separate container so I could relocate him easier without having to pick him up in the event I needed to. (cause that's totally possible, probable even)
So about once a week check on him and offer water? His vet said to mist him every few days but I've heard that can cause too much humidity for him. This whole thing feels like I'm wandering in the dark in strange territory. My hopes are that next year will go smoother and be less crazy.

 

[Esther19]

Yes, AHBD is right. No misting. Hang in there! Stuart will be fine.

 

[MamaTater]

So far, so good. He's officially sleeping. It's cute. A little scary, I miss him, but it's ok. I'm so proud of him, my wittle man is growing up!

 

[AHBD]

That's good ! Just keep telling yourself that it is a natural behavior. Stuart should be just fine.

 

[MamaTater]

Thanks, that helps to ease my mind. Dragons sure are a roller coaster ride, eh?