Lethargic Bearded Dragon?

Question

My bearded dragon is a little over a year old and withing the past few weeks has become very lethargic, where as before he was always very alert and moving/eating/pooping fine. 
Hes in a 5ft long viv by about a 1.5 ft wide.
He gets fresh fruit and veg everyday following a bearded dragon food chart so i know what to and what not to feed him. He also gets a whole box of locusts every other day. This may not seem like much but if i feed him locus everyday he never eats them all and usually leaves them all.
He doesn't drink from a bowl even though i tried to train him to drink from it. instead all his veg gets heavily strayed with water and he also gets regular baths - maybe one every 2 to 3 days.
His locus also get dusted with calcium powder.
He also has a 100+ basking temp.

He can hardly get himself up to get to his basking spot. he also hardly poops anymore even though he still eats some bugs. hes gone completely off his veg, and overtime i try to hand feed (which he used to eat his whole bowl full by me hand feeding him) him his veg but every time i go near him he closes his eyes. He also seems to have a problem keeping his eyes open and definitely isn't alert.
i don't think hes shedding although he hasn't shed in a very long time.

I already have multi vitamins on order and im going to replace his uv lights ASAP just in case its them. Anything else i should do? I cant really get to the vet right now but if needs be i can get him to the vets by next weekend. anyone more beardie experienced offer me some advice? im getting kinda worried about him. Its also winter, could that be the cause of his change?

sheila c · Accepted Answer

I agree with Andy: it sounds like your dragon is brumating. This is normal, although not all bearded dragons do it every winter. Here's a good article to help: http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Brumation.html

This is my second winter with my male bearded dragon, Sparky. Here's what we do during his brumation times:

*He has a box to hide in. It's just a cardboard box stuffed with shredded, crinkled paper (small pet bedding, actually!)
*We pull him out of the box once a week or so for a bath and just to check on him, generally. He hates to be woken up, but it's important to hydrate him, as you know. 
*We offer him some salad after his bath. Sometimes he wants to eat, other times he doesn't.
*If he eats, we try to keep him awake until he poops again, so that food isn't sitting inside him while he's sleeping for days and days.

Overall, you sound like you're taking very good care of your buddy, and he's a lucky dragon to have you. Read about brumation some, and see if his behavior matches that description. If you are concerned that there might be more to it than that, take him to the vet.

Oh, I'm not 100% sure if you are in the northern hemisphere! Even if you live south of the equator, and it's summer for you, it might still be a brumation issue. My Sparky decided to take a few weeks in August last year for a long rest! Good luck with your friend.

? · Answer

hi,

 you don't need to be concerned. During the winder bearded dragons will bruminate. It is like a polar bear or other animal going into hibernation during the winter. There metabolism slows down and they usally stay in one spot. They may eat a little but dont force them to eat.

hope it helps and best of luck

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Lethargic Bearded Dragon?

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