David R Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Currently the lights on out beardys tank are on for 14 hours, and as we're coming into winter this will obviously need to be reduced. How does everyone go about this? How gradually do you reduce the length of time they're on for? Do you run the UV tube for the same amount of time and shorten the length of time the basking lamp is on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Currently the lights on out beardys tank are on for 14 hours, and as we're coming into winter this will obviously need to be reduced. How does everyone go about this? How gradually do you reduce the length of time they're on for? Do you run the UV tube for the same amount of time and shorten the length of time the basking lamp is on? drop 1 hour per 2 days, down to 10 per day. Feed well and when you think he has weight on then stop feeding for 1 week. Then fill bottom of the tank with straw that he can burrow under. Then turn lights and heat of completely and put a blanket over the tank. He may take a few days to burrow. Then just leave him be. Have a sniff once every few days to make sure no strange smells. You can then leave him for 2-4 months and he will be fine. It is CRUCIAL that you do not wake him up during this time- just let him sleep. This works fine as long as temp does not drop below 10 C. You do not want him in a room over 25 C though as his metabolic rate will not allow him to brumate. I have done this for 20 beardies now and have had no trouble- but this is my experience only, some risk is laways associated with wintering. When you wake him up, just increase light and heat to normal and remove straw. He will be very alert and eat heaps. 3 weeks later will be ready to breed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardie_Guy Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Does this work even with young beardies? My beardies appitite has droped alot over the last few weeks and he is burrowing in his sand alot. Anyone know why this might be? cheers Lloyd :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted March 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Ours is still very active, eating like mad and showing no sign of slowing down yet. We didn't brumate him last year but he kinda had a short dormancy for a few months late in the year. When would you suggest slowing him down? His tank is in the lounge, along with a 4' fish tank so the room usually stays warm, and its north facing so it gets pretty warm on a sunny day (not sure about winter yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Ours is still very active, eating like mad and showing no sign of slowing down yet. We didn't brumate him last year but he kinda had a short dormancy for a few months late in the year. When would you suggest slowing him down? His tank is in the lounge, along with a 4' fish tank so the room usually stays warm, and its north facing so it gets pretty warm on a sunny day (not sure about winter yet. does not really matter when you do it. I do mine 2 weeks from now, as they are normally housed outdoors. you could move him elsewhere in the house if too warm. you should not brumate dragons until they are full size and have some extra weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beardie_Guy Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Thanks, I will do it next winter then lloyd :bounce: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted March 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 you should not brumate dragons until they are full size and have some extra weight. He's not full-size yet, only about a year old (this is his second winter). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Varanophile Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 He's not full-size yet, only about a year old (this is his second winter). how big is he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David R Posted March 31, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 Taken about 2 minutes ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted March 31, 2008 Report Share Posted March 31, 2008 the old elastic tape measure trick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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