Hibernation (or Brumation as its called in reptiles) in reptiles and amphibians.
Reptiles and amphibians are cold-blooded and sensitive to frost. Snakes, lizards, toads and frogs all spend the winter in frost-free places under the earth’s surface or water.
Winter rest is not the same for all animals.
Animals that are used in equatorial climates do not need hibernation.
Bearded dragons, collar iguanas, dwarf bearded dragons, leopard iguanas, pigeon dragons and other species bury themselves in cooler places.
As the owner, you have to decide whether you want to initiate a warm or cold winter rest for your protégés.
Leopard geckos, big head geckos, thorn-tailed dragons, phelsumens, dwarf geckos, various types of snakes and monitor lizards have attuned wintertime lowering the temperatures and lighting duration slightly.
Warm hibernation
Before hibernation takes place, a faecal analysis is necessary, which is done several weeks in advance.
Sick animals must not be overwintered!
Warm overwintering takes place in the terrarium, whereby the heat spots are gradually turned off.
Feeding is stopped 2 weeks before the winter dormancy begins.
Please note that your animals wake up now and then to drink or to empty their bowels.
In any case, leave the animals in the terrarium and do not take them out.
Depending on the type and character of the animal, hibernation lasts around 12 weeks.
After 12 weeks, the temperature is slowly increased again.
Your animals are probably a bit sluggish after they wake up and will not start eating again until 2-4 days later.
Please do not offer food until the 2nd day after waking up.
Cold hibernation
This type of hibernation is dangerous, which is why experienced terrarium keepers should only carry out this type of hibernation.
For this purpose, feeding is also stopped 2 weeks in advance.
Light and heat sources are gradually turned off.
The animals are bathed in lukewarm water so that the intestines are completely emptied.
A faecal analysis is necessary to rule out potential diseases.
The animals are placed in a Bra Plast or plastic box with slightly damp paper towels.
Please think of air holes on the top and sides of the box.
The boxes are then placed in the refrigerator (min. 5 ° C, maximum 10 ° C) at 7 ° C.
In some species, the temperature can drop to 0 ° C for a short time.
Note: Please check the temperature regularly. If the temperatures are too warm, the animals can lose weight and die!
Renew the moistened paper towels twice a week.
Please do not spray the animals directly.
