Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Become a credit card member today!Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!APPLY NOWLearn More About Petco Pay Benefits
Bearded Dragon Brumation: What Pet Parents Need to Know
Published on August 15th, 2022
Updated on June 18th, 2026
Do you have questions about bearded dragon brumation? Visit Petco to learn what to do when the time comes.
What Is Bearded Dragon Brumation — and How Do You Prevent It?
The short answer: Keep your bearded dragon's enclosure temperature and UV lighting consistent year-round, and brumation is unlikely to occur. Here's what you need to know.
Understanding Brumation
If you share a life with a bearded dragon, you've probably heard the term brumation — but it's worth understanding exactly what it means and why it matters for your pet.
Brumation is the reptile equivalent of hibernation: a state of deep dormancy characterized by prolonged lethargy and sluggishness. During brumation, a bearded dragon's heart rate drops, its digestive system slows dramatically, and its immune system becomes suppressed — leaving it appearing to be in a deep, unresponsive sleep. Unlike true hibernation in mammals, brumation is not always one long, uninterrupted sleep. Bearded dragons may occasionally rouse themselves for a small drink of water, then return to their dormant state — though even when awake, they will remain very lethargic.
Brumation is a natural survival response that occurs in the wild, not something a pet bearded dragon receiving proper, consistent care needs to experience. Understanding the difference between brumation and illness is critical, because the two can look remarkably similar.
Why Do Bearded Dragons Brumate?
Unlike mammals, bearded dragons cannot regulate their own internal body temperature. They are ectothermic — meaning they rely entirely on external heat sources to maintain their body temperature. In the wild, shorter winter days mean less sunlight and less available food, making it impossible for bearded dragons to stay warm and active. Brumation is their survival strategy: by entering dormancy, they require far less heat and food to get through those lean months.
Pet bearded dragons, however, don't face those seasonal hardships. With the right heat lamps, UV lighting and thermometers, you can maintain a stable environment that signals to your bearded dragon that conditions are always favorable — eliminating the trigger for brumation entirely.
Is Brumation Dangerous?
Brumation itself is not immediately life-threatening, but it does carry real risks for pet reptiles. By suppressing normal bodily functions — including digestion, metabolism and immune system activity — brumation can predispose your bearded dragon to developing secondary illnesses. That's why prevention is the better path for pet bearded dragons, and why any signs of brumation-like behavior should prompt a veterinary visit to rule out underlying health issues.
Signs of Bearded Dragon Brumation
Because several illnesses — including gastrointestinal parasites — can mimic brumation symptoms, it's important to recognize the signs and respond promptly. If you notice any of the following, check your pet's enclosure conditions immediately and contact your veterinarian to discuss other potential causes.
| Brumation Sign | What It Looks Like | Why It Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeping more | Active during the day is replaced by prolonged sleep; pet may appear unresponsive | Conserves energy during perceived suboptimal conditions |
| Eating and drinking less | Decreased or absent appetite; little to no interest in food or water | Body draws on fat and nutrient reserves instead |
| Hiding | Retreating to dark, enclosed spaces within the habitat | Instinct to retain heat and seek shelter, as in the wild |
| Moving slowly | Extreme lethargy even when emerging briefly from a hide | Reduced metabolic rate slows all physical activity |
Important: If you observe any of these signs, schedule a veterinary checkup. Annual wellness exams are a key part of keeping your bearded dragon thriving long-term. Do not assume brumation is the cause without ruling out illness first.
How to Prevent Bearded Dragon Brumation
Preventing brumation comes down to one principle: eliminate the environmental triggers. Bearded dragons brumate in response to dropping temperatures and reduced UV light exposure — so your job is to make sure neither of those things happens.
Temperature: Keep It Consistent
Bearded dragons thrive within specific temperature ranges. Use at least two thermometers inside the habitat — one on the cool side and one near the basking area — so you always have an accurate picture of conditions throughout the enclosure.
| Zone | Target Temperature |
|---|---|
| Daytime ambient (cool to warm side) | 75–85°F |
| Nighttime ambient | 70–75°F |
| Daytime basking spot | 88–100°F |
During colder months, room temperatures can drop without you noticing, pulling habitat temperatures down with them. Check your thermometers daily, and adjust your heat sources as needed to hold these ranges steady.
Lighting: Maintain a Year-Round Schedule
UV light is just as important as heat. Keep basking bulbs and UV lamps on the same daily schedule throughout the entire year — do not reduce hours in fall or winter. Consistency in light duration signals to your bearded dragon that the season has not changed, removing a primary brumation trigger.
Home Environment: Protect the Habitat
A few simple steps around your home can make a big difference:
- Insulate the room. Poorly insulated windows and walls can cause room temperatures to dip significantly in winter. If your bearded dragon's room runs cold, consider a space heater with a thermostat to stabilize the ambient temperature.
- Avoid drafts. Keep the habitat out of the direct path of air conditioners, heating vents and exterior doors. Sudden temperature swings — in either direction — are stressful and can disrupt your pet's environment.
- Prevent dehydration. Placing the habitat near a heater or AC vent can dry out the air and dehydrate your bearded dragon. Consistent humidity, alongside consistent temperature, supports overall wellbeing.
Quick-Reference Prevention Checklist
- [ ] Two thermometers placed inside the habitat (cool side and basking area)
- [ ] Basking spot maintained at 88–100°F daily
- [ ] Ambient daytime temperature held at 75–85°F
- [ ] Nighttime temperature no lower than 70°F
- [ ] UV and basking lights on the same schedule every day, year-round
- [ ] Habitat positioned away from AC vents, heaters and drafty windows
- [ ] Room temperature monitored during winter months
When to call your veterinarian: If your bearded dragon shows any signs of brumation — or any sudden change in behavior, appetite or activity level — consult your veterinarian before drawing conclusions. What looks like brumation can sometimes indicate a parasitic infection or other illness that needs prompt attention. Regular annual wellness visits are the best way to stay ahead of any concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is brumation normal for bearded dragons? Brumation is a natural, instinct-driven response that bearded dragons experience in the wild when sunlight decreases and temperatures drop. For pet bearded dragons receiving consistent heat, UV light and nutrition, brumation is not necessary and can generally be prevented with proper husbandry. That said, some pet bearded dragons may still show brumation-like signs — always consult your veterinarian to rule out illness before assuming your pet is brumating.
What are the most common signs of bearded dragon brumation? The most recognizable signs include sleeping far more than usual during daylight hours, a significantly reduced or absent appetite, hiding in dark areas of the habitat, and moving very slowly even when awake. Because these signs closely resemble symptoms of gastrointestinal parasites and other illnesses, a veterinary checkup is strongly recommended any time you observe them.
How do I prevent bearded dragon brumation? Keep your bearded dragon's environment stable year-round. Maintain daytime temperatures between 75–85°F, nighttime temperatures between 70–75°F and a basking spot between 88–100°F. Use at least two thermometers inside the habitat to catch fluctuations early, and keep basking and UV bulbs on a consistent daily schedule in every season. Position the habitat away from drafty windows, air conditioning vents and heating units.
What temperature triggers brumation in bearded dragons? Brumation is typically triggered when habitat temperatures drop below the recommended range — particularly when the basking spot falls under 88°F or ambient daytime temperatures dip below 75°F. Reduced UV light exposure compounds the effect. Monitoring both temperature zones with dedicated thermometers and replacing aging UV bulbs on schedule are the most reliable ways to prevent a temperature-driven brumation response.
Should I wake my bearded dragon if it is brumating? Avoid forcibly waking a brumating bearded dragon. Unlike mammalian hibernation, brumation involves periodic, brief awakenings — your pet may rouse on its own for small sips of water. Offer fresh water during these moments but do not push food, as a slowed digestive system can cause food to rot in the gut rather than be processed. Contact your veterinarian if your pet has not moved or eaten for an extended period, or if you notice any signs of illness.
Is brumation dangerous for pet bearded dragons? Brumation itself is not immediately life-threatening, but it does suppress normal bodily functions — including digestion, metabolism and immune response — which can increase your pet's vulnerability to secondary illness. Because of this risk, preventing brumation through consistent husbandry is always preferable to managing it after it begins. Schedule annual wellness exams with a reptile-knowledgeable veterinarian to keep your bearded dragon's health and wellness on track year-round.
This article was created with assistance from AI tools and reviewed for accuracy by Petco's content team.
FAQs About Bearded Dragon Brumation
No. Bearded dragons enter brumation when they sense changes in their environmental temperature or daylight cycle. Since your pet shouldn’t be exposed to these changes with proper care, they should never need to brumate.
Even in nature, bearded dragons can brumate inconsistently—anywhere from yearly, every other year or only once in their lives. It is impossible to predict the timing of bearded dragon brumation.
No, reptiles do not hibernate as some mammals do. While the terms brumation and hibernation are often used interchangeably, there are a few important differences between the two. Brumation occurs in cold-blooded reptiles, while hibernation occurs in warm-blooded mammals. Hibernation tends to be a deeper and longer-lasting rest than brumation, and bearded dragons going through brumation may still occasionally eat, drink and defecate.
If you keep the conditions in your pet reptile’s habitat at consistent, optimal levels, your bearded dragon should never have to brumate. There is no standard bearded dragon brumation age in nature, but most usually begin experiencing brumation cycles between 10 and 24 months of age.
Most brumation periods for bearded dragons in nature last between one to four months. Occasionally, brumation can sometimes last up to nine months.
Despite your best efforts to keep habitat conditions constant, your pet may still brumate. It can be worrying if your reptile disappears for several months to brumate, and you may even wonder whether your pet is dead. Consult your veterinarian as soon as you notice any signs consistent with brumation.
Unfortunately, if your bearded dragon has already begun their brumation, it’s often hard to get them to stop. If you notice signs of brumation in your beardie, you can try increasing the environmental temperature slightly, exposing them to UV light and misting them with warm water. You want your bearded dragon to emerge from brumation so that they are not likely to develop secondary problems, such as infections. The best thing you can do when you notice bearded dragon brumation is to consult your veterinarian. They can recommend ways to care for your lizard until their bodies adjust.