06/04/2026
It's that time of the year, that so many new reptile owners get overly worried about their reptiles, as their behavior changes.
Take our Bearded Dragon for instance, she recently, moved out of her enclosure with her nice warm lights (she is allowed to free roam in the house) and moved into a dark corner of my bedroom, where we made a "makeshift bed" for her. And she spends days there, without eating or drinking, and is clearly in a VERY bad mood.
But why does this happen?
As winter sets in, many reptile owners begin to notice subtle — and sometimes worrying — changes in their animals. Species like the Leopard Gecko and Bearded Dragon often slow down, eat less, spend more time hiding, and may even show slight changes in coloration. In most cases, this is not illness, but a natural biological response known as brumation.
Brumation is a seasonal dormancy period triggered by cooler temperatures and shorter daylight hours. Unlike true hibernation in mammals, reptiles may still wake intermittently to drink water, but their metabolism slows significantly. This means reduced energy needs, which is why appetite often drops or stops entirely.
It is important for keepers to understand that this is a normal and instinct-driven process and interfering with it can cause unnecessary stress.
What you should do:
Ensure your reptile is healthy and well-fed going into winter. Only healthy animals should be allowed to brumate.
Maintain stable and appropriate enclosure temperatures. Do not allow drastic drops, even if your reptile is less active.
Provide constant access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Monitor body condition and weight periodically without excessive disturbance.
Keep a consistent light cycle, even if slightly reduced to match seasonal changes.
What you should NOT do:
Do not force feed your reptile if it refuses food during this period.
Do not handle unnecessarily or disturb your reptile. Brumating animals should be left alone as much as possible.
Do not relocate or frequently check on them physically, as this interrupts their natural cycle.
Do not allow a reptile that is underweight, sick, or newly acquired to enter brumation.
If weight loss is excessive, do not assume all inactivity is brumation — always rule out illness if something seems off
Brumation can last anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months depending on the species and individual animal. Some reptiles may not brumate at all, especially in controlled indoor environments.
Understanding brumation allows you to respond appropriately and avoid unnecessary concern. In most cases, the best approach is simple: provide the correct environment, monitor from a distance, and allow nature to take its course.
