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You are Getting Very Sleepy…It’s Time for Brumation
‘Tis the season for the oft-feared brumation. We are here to help demystify this behaviour, and to offer support to you, your clients, and your patients – now, and throughout the year!
If you’ve searched, you’ve likely discovered that there is a noticeable lack of research-based information on the topic. Brumation differs from hibernation in that the former applies exclusively to ectotherms, while the latter is used to describe the similar seasonal behaviours of endothermic species, though the indicators and operational mechanisms vary. In captive herpetofauna, brumation is a deeply ingrained, instinctive, induced behaviour that manifests to varying degrees in certain individuals that retain their ancestral habits. Brumation is a functional adaptation employed during the harshest months of the year when food is scarce, but more importantly, when the temperatures are insufficient to maintain normal digestive and metabolic function. It also appears to play an important roll in reproduction and likely enhances longevity. The relative inability to independently, internally regulate their body temperature necessitates finding or creating a means by which to insulate themselves from these climatic extremes. This can manifest in digging, burrowing, or repurposing an existing den into a hibernaculum. Some species even brumate underwater! During this time of “suspended animation”, involuntary function is reduced to a fraction of “normal” levels.
In the modern pet-trade, we unfortunately still see high numbers of wild-collected specimens alongside a thriving market for captive-bred animals (i.e. bearded dragons, leopard geckos, etc.). The perceived ambiguity we see in the brumation habits of our pet reptiles is due to natural history, captive environment, age, and in the case of captive-produced specimens, decades of pseudo-domestication. Recent (and much needed) research has posited that epigenetics likely come into play and captive husbandry either turns on, turns off, or confuses the bejesus out of gene expressions. At the pet owner and clinical levels, this has resulted in what appear as individualized behaviours, manifesting either as a predictable seasonal action, a spontaneous once every now and again thing, or a year-round party animal who has declined the call of Nature.
If captive conditions are made to replicate natural environmental parameters as closely as possible, brumation is often initiated in the autumn by a host of both endogenous and exogenous cues (chicken vs. egg situation). Hormones, altered photoperiods, decreased food availability, decreased temperatures, and unavoidable changes in things like barometric pressure all play a catalyzing role in sending our herps to the Big Sleep. Things can get a little hairy when some individuals who seem to have really held onto those more deeply ingrained instincts, feel the pull toward brumation during their native Southern Hemisphere’s winter, and fall into a malaise during our continent’s summer. Another tricky variable here is the natural history and geographic range of a species. For instance, in the bearded dragon’s native Australia, the cool season is usually something like 6-12 weeks, so many beardies respond to the environmental changes that start to take place in September across much of the US, and wind up with spring fever in the middle of our actual winter. Whereas the humble Russian tortoise spends nearly nine months of the year in subterranean stasis within its harsh, wild homeland. If an owner or carer is unprepared for what to expect and how to prepare and react, the environmental conditions don’t always fully support their pet’s needs, and these animals can become physiologically (and likely psychologically) confused. This can also lead to metabolic fatigue when an animal is attempting a healthy brumation, but conditions aren’t altered accordingly. From a husbandry standpoint, the ideal is to alter environmental parameters seasonally, by making specific, incremental changes to a habitat’s microclimate (temp/photoperiod/UVB exposure), the animal’s diet (volume/frequency/composition), and their routine, enabling a safe, species-specific brumation when appropriate.
Brumation can be a taxing time from a physiologic perspective, but after a healthy brumation period, most captive herpetofauna will emerge with a largely unchanged body condition. In order for all of this to happen as it should, husbandry needs to be exemplary, animals should generally have been fasted and well-hydrated, and health should be assessed by a veterinarian prior to the brumation period. The incomplete concept of brumation pervasive amongst many pet owners is complicated by the fact that the natural indicators of healthy brumation appear very similar to those of a sick reptile if one isn’t familiar with all of these nuanced factors.
But don’t fear! Wherever there is a hyporexic herp, wherever there is a lethargic lizard, we’ll be there. Wherever brumation lurks, you’ll find…The Other Pets! We are here to guide you and/or your clients through every facet of preparation, to offer support throughout the brumation process, and to coach them through the emergence phase, making sure that all environmental parameters support a healthy, happy herp. Now, and throughout the year, our in-depth email consultations address all aspects of non-traditional pets’ wellbeing. Reach out to us with questions, to see examples of our consultations, or for references!
Autumn’s milder temperatures offer a great opportunity for outdoor adventures for many of our small-mammal pets. There are lots great mobile coops and easy-to-use harnesses available to enable safe piggy picnics, rabbit rendezvous, ferret frolics, and the ever important chinchillin’ out. Safe, supervised time outside can facilitate exercise, enrichment, UVB radiation (beneficial in most vertebrate species), and even enhanced nutrition if safe grazing in an untreated and designated area is available. Refer pet owners for an in-depth consult to advise on everything from product recommendations, ideal environmental parameters, plant safety and every other aspect of home care.