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Have you ever found your bearded dragon unresponsive in their enclosure? If so, it must have made you worried. I bet the first thing that came to your mind was that your beardie was dead.
If you think your bearded dragon died and came back to life, it probably didn’t. Even if you find your bearded dragon unresponsive, it does not necessarily mean they are dead. They could be in brumation. Brumation is similar to hibernation, except for reptiles.
Keep reading to learn why your bearded dragon died and came to life, what brumation is, how often bearded dragons go into brumation, and more!
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Bearded Dragon Brumation
Brumation refers to a condition in which reptiles such as bearded dragons become dormant for a specific period of time. Bearded dragons in brumation enter a state of inactivity and often look dead. As such, there have been cases where bearded dragon owners thought their beardies were dead while they were not.
During brumation, bearded dragons may become completely unresponsive. Brumation is associated with low body temperature, reduced respiration, and reduced heart rate. This process also slows down the bearded dragon’s metabolic rate.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Brumate?
It is not uncommon for bearded dragons to brumate. Moreover, brumation is a natural behavior and allows bearded dragons to conserve energy, especially in harsh weather conditions. In the wild, bearded dragons often go into brumation during winter.
Since beardies are cold-blooded, they cannot regulate their body temperature. By going into brumation, bearded dragons can survive even the coldest conditions. Brumating bearded dragons can wake up at any moment, provided their internal body temperature rises.
Captive bearded dragons can brumate when the temperature inside their enclosure drops to a certain level.
Can Baby Bearded Dragons Go Into Brumation?
Most beardies don’t go into brumation until they are at least nine months old. However, this may vary due to a wide range of factors.
For example, beardies that live in extremely cold regions are more likely to brumate at an early age. As such, some bearded dragons may even start brumating when they are a year old.
How Long Do Bearded Dragons Brumate?
In adult bearded dragons, brumation can last for a few days, weeks, or even months. Some beardies may brumate longer than others.
Additionally, male bearded dragons often take a shorter time in brumation than female beardies.
Is My Bearded Dragon Dead Or Brumating?
At times it can be hard to tell whether your beardie is dead or just brumating. If your bearded dragon looks dead but not stiff, there is a high chance they are brumating.
A dead bearded dragon will lose its normal color after several hours. Their underside may turn black. However, this may or may not happen. Dead beardies often have their eyes partially closed.
Final Verdict
If you are not sure whether your beardie is dead or brumating, you should consider taking them to the vet. It is advisable not to bother your bearded dragon when they are in brumation. Waking them to eat or drink will only prolong the brumation period.
Brumation is safe for bearded dragons, so nothing bad will happen to your pet during this period.
