brumation question

[Pia]

Just wondering what time of year most of your beardies begin brumation and how long it lasts. I was under the impression that it was usually around November though March, but my male did it from beginning of September though early October last year for a total of about 9 wks. At first I was concerned but then I read somewhere (can't remember where) that if they are born earlier in the year then they will start brumation earlier as well. He was born in late March of the previous year and was 17 months old. I just wanted to compare to other people's experiences. Thanks for any input you can give.

[eyespy]

I've never noticed any real rhyme or reason to when most of the beardies I've rescued decide to brumate. Some like to start in late summer through early fall, others in the dead of winter and you get the rare odd little wedgehead that will decide to go down for a long nap in spring or summer. Mine haven't been consistent from year to year even though I match their time under artificial light to natural sunrise and sunset to try and simulate the seasons for them.

They don't really get all of Mother Nature's signals in captivity so it's tough to predict if and when they will decide that cold weather is on the way. I have a friend who lives in southern Florida whose beardie brumates once or twice every year and sometimes spends nearly 6 months asleep even though it's hot and humid. But folks who live where it gets cold and dry often report their beardies have never brumated.

[drewlowe]

I will usually do mine in september or october (when they finally start sleeping alot more) i will slowly cut down there day time from 14 to 10 hour days and once i hit 12 hours i switch them from a 150 watt bulb down to a 100 watt bulb. then they stay in brumation for about 1 or 2 months then i slowly bring them out go in the opposite way i brought them to it. Very simple to do and right after they are fully out they directly go into breeding. Haven't had a problem yet.

[Pia]

Thank guys :-)