Brumation--how long for an adult beardie?

CanadianEryx · 01-12-13, 06:13 PM

My bearded dragon has been in brumation since September. He doesn't seem to be getting any smaller as he sleeps and he's changed positions a couple of times, but he's been laying under a hide for over 4 months now and I'm getting a little concerned. Should I be worried or should I simply wait him out???

SpOoKy · 01-12-13, 07:18 PM

Wait out brumation, never disturb them. If he isn't loosing wait then he is fine. Be sure some heat is still getting onb him ( not too much you don't want to cook him). i would also make sure that the uvb light is on him as much as possible even if he is under the hide. Move the light if needed so it is over the hide he is in.

CanadianEryx · 01-13-13, 08:44 PM

The hide he is under is open on both ends and he switches his head from one side to the other every couple of weeks. His uvb light extends the entire length of his enclosure so I hope it is sneaking into the ends of his hide and he's getting enough light. His heat is constant from below and above and has never been an issue before brumation and his basking area continues to be lighter and available for when he wakes up. I guess I will try to be more patient. Thanks, Spooky--your encouragement is very welcome. BTW, by Caledon do you mean that you live in that smallish town in Ontario??? (I used to live in Acton!)

SpOoKy · 01-13-13, 09:39 PM

No worries

Brumation can be a nerve racking thing. It is a hard concept to accept that you have something for most of the year that you have to be concerned with so many details then all of a sudden you leave them alone and do small checks on them. I have one beardie that goes every winter and one that has in the past, and has woken up a few times through the winter. This year he has been awake the whole time.

Yes, Acton is not too far from where I am

CanadianEryx · 01-14-13, 04:26 PM

Small world, isn't it???
I'll leave Casey for the time being and just monitor his environment. Hopefully he wakes up before school lets out in June 'cause I have a couple of nephews that would like to show him and my ksb, Eryx, off to their classes