In most cases, Bearded Dragon brumation lasts for one to three months. You should expect them to sleep anytime from early June until September. If they do not brumate according to Australia's seasonal patterns, they will likely brumate according to their tank or personal conditions.
The Start & End of Brumation: How Long Brumation Lasts
This process is typically two to three months long. Bearded dragon owners have reported their lizard brumated for anywhere from several weeks up to six months! North American colubrid breeders typically keep their snakes in brumation for around three months.
During brumation, reptiles stop eating and their heart and respiratory rates slow significantly, as does their digestion. This "suspended animation"—long periods of inactivity—may actually lengthen the lives of these reptiles.
Generally, it is OK to pick up your bearded dragon while he's in brumation. For example, some bearded dragon owners choose to help their pet through the brumation period by giving him a relaxing bath. While this is not necessary, it can help with producing a bowel movement.
Although there are no set rules for caring for your beardie during brumation, one rule to live by during this period is to try and disturb them as little as possible.
Remember, one of the triggers for brumation in the wild is less daylight. As such, if you provide your bearded dragon with more light, they'll begin to think it's not necessary to brumate. Because of this, you should highly consider leaving your lights on for a little longer than normal.
1 week after brumation has ended, schedule the lights and heat sources back to being on for 13 hours/day. Your beardie's appetite should go back to normal. If appetite does not go back to normal or your beardie doesn't seem to be waking up, take your dragon to an experienced reptile vet for examination!
It is important to make sure your beardie has had a bowel movement before entering a total brumation state, as this will ensure their digestive system is empty, eliminating the risk of trapped food. Once this has been achieved, turn off the bearded dragon's basking bulb and UV light.
As desert dwelling reptiles, bearded dragons can go weeks without food, sometimes a few months. This allows them to survive in their native habitat when food sources are scarce. In captivity, this usually occurs during brumation.
A brumating beardie will drastically slow down their body functions and metabolism in order to conserve energy and help them last through the cold months. They won't eat much, will barely move around, won't bask, and will stick to dark and cool areas.
Bearded dragons can usually go without heat for about 24 hours. That's not enough for long-term survival, but it can buy you time to address the heating problems in the enclosure.
As a result, reptilian dormancy, or brumation, is different from mammalian hibernation because the metabolic processes are different. Not unlike mammals, reptiles may begin their dormancy stage in the fall. However, they do not enter a state of “sleep” as the mammals do. They go into a state of suspended animation.
However, the temperature will drop below 60° Fahrenheit at night and only get up to about 75° or 80° during the day. Instead of going into full hibernation, wild bearded dragons simply slow their movements and digestion during this period to conserve energy. This is brumation!
How Long Can A Bearded Dragon Go Without Pooping? Healthy bearded dragons not in brumation should not go for longer than one week without pooping. Some individuals can go several weeks without pooping, but, this will be very painful and is normally a sign of a health issue.
If your Bearded dragon's tank temperature is consistently too low, they will be unable to properly digest their food, and in turn, will lose their appetite. Another common cause of suppressed appetite in Bearded dragons is insufficient UVB lighting.
A boney or thin tail is a common sign of a malnourished bearded dragon. Deflated fat pads – Bearded dragons have fat pads on their heads. If your dragon appears to have deflated fat pads, it could be missing critical nutrients in its diet. Many people are concerned with too much fat in their dragon's diet.
How often should I feed my bearded dragon? Most young bearded dragons should eat once or twice daily, while older lizards may only eat every 24-72 hours, depending upon each pet's individual appetite.