What Is Bearded Dragon Brumation?

Bearded dragons are members of the lizard family called Agamidae. The lizards in this family are known by a number of names, including dragons, chisel-toothed lizards, and pricklenapes. These creatures were originally assigned to the genus known as Amphibolurus, which means, “A tail that can be lashed this way and that” in Greek. The name describes a group of agamid lizards that have long, whip-like tails. It soon became evident, however, that bearded dragons were different from the other lizards belonging in this genus. Because of their shorter tails and distinctive beard-like projections, Beardies were placed under a different genus. In 1982, bearded dragons were classed under the genus Pogona.

Most animal enthusiasts are likely aware of the fact that all reptiles, or lizards for that matter, are ectothermic animals; that is, they are cold-blooded creatures that rely on their environment for thermoregulation. Having said that, these animals have undergone evolution and adapted exceptional survival strategies to ensure life-sustenance when environmental conditions become undesirable. One such incredible adaptation is known as brumation.

Brumation refers to a hibernation-like state that most reptiles, including bearded dragons, use whenever environmental conditions are not just right. Because bearded dragons are ectothermic animals, they lack the ability to control their body temperature using “inside” regulation. As such, they must utilize “outside” regulation, like basking in the sun to warm up their bodies.

Bearded dragon brumation may be influenced by a combination of shortened days (something that pet owners can control in captivity), extremes of temperature, and a bearded dragon’s natural inclination to become inactive whenever they are contended with unsatisfactory conditions in their environment.

It is very important to understand that brumation differs from hibernation in that “periodic” awakening and short-lived resumption of activity and feeding mark the former. Hibernation, in contrast, is usually a “long” period of inactivity where reptiles go underground to escape the coldness of winter.

Aside from serving as a survival scheme during weather fluctuations, some breeders believe that brumation in bearded dragons helps both males and females get ready to mate. Remember that there are some exceptions, but in general, sperm production in males is triggered by cooler temperatures. In females, cold weather prepares them for ovulation.

Bearded dragon brumation can be somewhat confusing, especially for new owners who are not aware of what is occurring to their pet throughout this period. What is more, this phenomenon happens in several different ways for every bearded dragon so there really is no clear-cut formula as to how to deal with it when it happens. In fact, there are bearded dragons that do not brumate at all.

A bearded dragon undergoing brumation may not eat, drink, pass stool, or move for several weeks. It may not bask in the heated lamp and instead spend more time in the cooler parts of its enclosure. It may not respond to any environmental or human stimuli such as noise and poking. Even though a captive bearded dragon’s light cycles and food are properly regulated, their biological clock may just take over and tell their bodies to power down for a while.

Once you have validated that your beardie is undergoing brumation, you could do a number of things to help your pet. One of these is to give your bearded dragon warm baths. The bath serves two purposes. One, it helps stimulate bowel movement; two, it hydrates their body.

In closing:

Your bearded dragon may brumate every year, for several weeks, or not at all. Your pet may brumate in the summer or winter for one week or one month. Young bearded dragons (under one year of age) do not usually brumate, unless they were born very early in the year. Some beardies are easy to awaken, while others are like dead animals, which are almost impossible to rouse. They may start to slow down and eat lesser each day, and defecate less and less until they go into total brumation.

Remember, bearded dragon brumation is a natural process. Although it may have some risks associated with it, you just have to let your pet be and simply continue offering the same kind of treatment that you normally give.