Reptiles & Amphibians Bearded Dragons

Brumation in Reptiles and How to Prepare

Prevention and Care for Your Pet

Bearded Dragon

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Brumation is a dormant period for reptiles that is similar to hibernation in mammals. Their bodies shut down and conserve energy for the coming year. Learn what to expect during brumation and how to care for your reptile during this period. Plus, find out how to prevent brumation if necessary.

Brumation in Reptiles

The Spruce / Vin Ganapathy

What Happens During Brumation?

During brumation, a reptile may not eat, drink, defecate, or move for several weeks. However, it may rise occasionally to drink water, then return to dormancy. The reptile may bury itself completely underground or go to the darkest, coolest part of its enclosure. It can scare you when your pet doesn't respond to normal stimuli such as poking and prodding.

Brumation can look different depending on the reptile's species, age, and sex. Both males and females can go into brumation, with males usually emerging from their deep sleep before the females. Pet reptiles may brumate at any time of the year, so this isn't necessarily a seasonal behavior.

Why Do Reptiles Brumate?

Brumation occurs in some reptiles as a means to survive the cold season because they cannot regulate their body temperatures. Pet reptiles have no reason to brumate, but it's an innate behavior in response to cooler temperatures and shorter days. In the wild, some reptiles, like bearded dragons, may brumate to avoid cold weather and a lack of food and water. In captivity, even though their light cycles and food may stay constant day after day, their biological clocks may take over and tell their bodies to shut down for a while. Brumation is a natural thing that is completely safe for your healthy reptile.

Difference Between Hibernation and Brumation

Mammals hibernate and reptiles brumate, but there are also differences in the behaviors. During hibernation, a mammal is sleeping and does not have to eat or drink because it can survive on fat stores. But reptiles don't have these fat stores; instead, their blood glycogen (a type of sugar) levels rise to provide energy for their muscles.

Brumation is not a true sleep and the reptile still needs to drink water. A brumating reptile may have days where it will wake, show some activity, drink water, and then go back to its dormant state. Hibernating mammals, on the other hand, remain in deep sleep where they don't need to eat or drink.

Which Reptiles Brumate?

Bearded dragons are the most common species of reptile pets that brumate. Bearded dragons are very unpredictable and may brumate every year, never at all, for long periods, or on and off through a season. Other common reptiles that brumate include some kinds of turtles, tortoises, lizards, and snakes. Some amphibians, such as frogs, also brumate.​

Preparing a Reptile for Brumation

Make sure your reptile is healthy and free of parasites, both internal and external. Encourage it to defecate by soaking the pet in some water and massaging its belly. Also, make sure the humidity and temperature in the enclosure are correct. Your reptile may eat more before brumation, so be sure to provide food until they stop eating. A veterinary check-up is recommended before brumation.

In the wild, a reptile may have an ailment when it goes into brumation in the winter and as a result, may not re-awaken in the spring. Thankfully, captive reptiles are usually much healthier than their wild counterparts. You will lessen the health risks of brumation with regular veterinary care.

How to Prevent Brumation

Your veterinarian may recommend taking steps to prevent brumation, especially if your reptile has health issues. To avoid brumation altogether, make sure your temperatures, feedings, and lighting are all consistent. You should be able to stop your reptile from entering the brumation period by handling the pet, as is encouraged when you offer water and food.

Although brumation is a natural process, it is not without risk. If your pet slips into brumation, help it rehydrate but otherwise leave your reptile alone. Contact your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns, and bring your reptile to the vet for a check-up after it comes out of brumation.

If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet.
The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. How animals deal with the Cold. University of Texas at Austin. Biodiversity Center.

  2. Turtle brumation: the benefits & dangers of the hibernation cycle. TAMU Vet Med. VMBS News.