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If your Bearded Dragon is sleeping seemingly all of the time and does not show interest in food then read on. Here you will find information on how to care for your Bearded Dragon during brumation.

Brumation

Brumation will often occur when a Bearded Dragon is around one year old and can happen during winter months when a Bearded Dragon will choose to slow down their metabolism. Because of their slowed metabolism, their lack of eating does not particulary affect their weight, they can go for several months without eating and only lose a few grams. Below is what to expect and what to do during brumation.

Early Signs

Your Bearded Dragon will spend it's time at the cold end of their vivarium and will rarely move, as well as not showing any interest in food. If your Bearded Dragon chooses to spend it's time at the cold end and not eat it is very likely that they are brumating.

Why?

Brumation occurs when a Bearded Dragon senses daylight and temperature changes causing their metabolism to slow, followed by a period of not eating and primarily sleeping. Bearded Dragons will eat little if anything during this period so do not be to alarmed.

Duration

Brumation can last weeks or even months. Spike's first brumation lasted one month when she was just over one year old, during this time she did eat a few greens on a couple of occassions but she basically slept all day.

Care of During

I recomend soaking your Bearded Dragon in a warm water for five or ten minutes once every other week to keep them hydrated. This is best done when they are awake rather than waking your sleeping Bearded Dragon.

It is also a good idea to weigh them at the beginning of brumation and intermittently. By doing this you can see if anything is wrong as your Beardie should not lose a significant amount of weight during brumation. Note if significant weight loss occurrs take your Bearded Dragon to your vet.

Food

Continue to offer small amounts of food every other day, placing crickets in a high sided dish for ease of removal if they are ignored and so not to unduly stress your Bearded Dragon - remember crickets can nibble.

Heat & Light

Once brumation begins the ambient temperature can be reduced down to as low as 65/70F, the light cycle can be shortened to 8 hours.

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