Introduction: what is brumation and why do bearded dragons do it?
Brumation is a state of inactivity that bearded dragons enter during the cooler months. They will burrow underground or find a cool spot to sleep for several months. Bearded dragons do this to survive the colder temperatures and lack of food.
Brumation is similar to hibernation, but not all animals that brumate are reptiles. Some mammals, such as ground squirrels, also go through a period of inactivity during the winter.
Bearded dragons come from Australia, where the climate is warm year-round. In the wild, they would only enter into brumation if there was a drought or other environmental stressor that made it difficult to find food.
In captivity, bearded dragons can be kept at room temperature and provided with food and water year-round.
The process: how does brumation work?
Brumation is a process that bearded dragons undergo to survive the winter months. Their metabolism slows down and they may not eat or drink for weeks at a time. They will often spend most of their time in a state of semi-hibernation, burrowed into their habitat.
To prepare for brumation, bearded dragons will start to eat less and less. They may also become more irritable and shed their skin more frequently. These are all natural processes that help the dragon to survive the winter months.
During brumation, the dragon’s metabolism slows down significantly. They may not eat or drink for weeks at a time. Their body temperature will also drop, and they will often spend most of their time burrowed into their habitat.
Signs your dragon is brumating
As the weather cools down, your bearded dragon may start to change its behavior. It may become less active and want to spend more time in its burrow or hiding spot. These are all signs that your dragon is getting ready to brumate.
Brumation is a type of hibernation that reptiles undergo when the weather gets colder. During this time, your dragon will slow down its metabolism and stop eating. It may even seem like it’s asleep for long periods of time.
If you think your dragon is starting to brumate, there are a few things you can do to help it through this process. First, make sure its enclosure is warm enough. You can do this by using a reptile heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter. You should also make sure the humidity levels in its enclosure are correct.
How to care for a brumating dragon: what do they need?
As the weather starts to cool down, your pet bearded dragon may start to go into what is known as “brumation.” This is their version of hibernation and is perfectly natural.
First, don’t be alarmed if your dragon becomes less active and starts to sleep more. This is normal behavior for them during this time. They will also stop eating as much, so don’t force them to eat if they don’t seem interested.
It’s important to keep their habitat clean during brumation, as they will be spending more time in it. Do a thorough cleaning every few weeks and spot clean as needed in between.
Your dragon may also start to shed more during this time.
Is brumating dangerous for bearded dragons?
Brumation is a process that bearded dragons undergo in the wild to help them survive the colder winter months. They will burrow into the ground and sleep for long periods of time, only emerging when the weather warms up again.
Some people worry that this process is dangerous for their bearded dragons, but it is actually a perfectly natural occurrence. Bearded dragons in captivity can also go through brumation, although they do not need to do so in order to survive.
There are a few things to keep in mind if you choose to allow your bearded dragon to brumate. First, make sure that they have a warm place to sleep during this time. A basking spot with a heat lamp will do the trick. Second, do not disturb them too much while they are sleeping. Let them wake up on their own when they are ready.