Leopard gecko brumation guide

Brumation Guide for Leopard gecko keepers:
Leopard geckos should be brumating every year at the correct temperatures. It's their natural behaviour and lengthens their lifespan.
Here's how i do it:
September: getting the poop tested on parasites. If the tests come back negative i'll start the brumation process. It's very important that only healthy geckos go into brumation!
(if they have parasites, treat them and start a bit later)
October/15: Last time feeding and reducing the light/heat from 12 to 10 hours a day. Leave them for 3 weeks to empty their bowels completely. It's very important that the guts are "empty" because if not, they cannot digest the remaining food at low temperatures and can die because of it.
November/5: reducing the light/heat to 8h per day
November/12: reducing the light/heat to 6h a day
Then reduce the light every two days for 1 hour
November/14: 5h per day
November/16: 4h per day
November/18: 3h per day
Nobember/20: 2h per day
November/22: 1h per day
November/24: 0h per day
November/26: transfering them into their containers and put them into a room where it's about 10° to 15° Celcius. I leave them for 3 months depending on the outside temperatures.
During that time i check on them once a week and change the water. They should be left alone as much as possible.
March: putting them back into their tanks and reverse the process.
Only start feeding them again when the light/heat is back to 12h per day!
A healthy gecko won't loose any weight because at 15°C the metabolism slows down.
!Babys who weigh less than 12gramms and geckos who are regenerating their tails shouldn't be brumating!
Instagram: / _g.e.c.k.o.s_
Video made with GoPro Quick

[@kimbiedinsmore2418]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I was given 2 Leopard Geckos, as everyone knows I love lizards of all kinds. I've had iguanas and Bearded Dragons. Their hibernation patterns are very similar. When I was given the geckos it was from someone who knew nothing about them. I tried to find everything I could about Leopard Geckos when I got them in Autumn 2018 but I couldn't find anything on hibernation. Even my sister, the 'other' Lizard Lady didn't know. Finally, today I looked again, especially since they weren't eating their favorite food-crickets. (Mine don't seem to care for mealy worms). I'm so glad I found your video. It is very informative. It gives detailed instructions and visual representations. It is one of the best instructive videos I've ever seen on any subject. Again, thank you for sharing your knowledge. I have added this video to my favorites!!

[@3012ftp]

Wow thank you so much! This made my day :)

[@edgy__]

More videos please! All of these cute reptiles! Soon going to try a channel for reptiles! Thanks for the inspiration!!!

[@3012ftp]

Follo thanks!💛

[@JTBReptiles]

Interesting, this is the only video I can find that tells you exactly how to do this! For how many years have you done this process and have you noticed any positive responses in your geckos?

[@3012ftp]

i have done this for two years now and in my opinion everyone should do it because in nature Leopard geckos brumate so it's part of their natural behaviour. and i'm all about recreating nature as accurately as possible ;) most of the geckos start brumating automatically by the end of the year so it's like their vacation.

[@JTBReptiles]

GECKOS I agree with you! It’s not something I’ve ever done before, but I think I’m going to do it this year.

[@fruitjuiceTTV]

I think mine has done it automatically I’ve been soooooooo worried she’s sick it’s my first year having her she spends most of her time in her cold hide and her humid hide occasionally she’ll go lay on her heat mat but she has shed twice in the past few weeks . Refuses food completely for the past couple weeks . Still drinks water . So this is all normal ?

[@hailiespeed4018]

@@fruitjuiceTTV hey! Did you ever find out?! Mine is doing the exact same

[@fruitjuiceTTV]

@@hailiespeed4018 yes ! She was brumating ! 😊 around this time of year also ! She came out of it her own and was 100% healthy

[@random_dragon]

It's currently December and I haven't known about burmation until now, and someone said that's why my gecko is on the cold side all the time. Do you have any advice?

[@3012ftp]

In Afganistan/Pakistan where Leopard geckos come from during Winter the temperature drops to 10-15°C or even lower. So it's their natural behaviour not to eat during this period of the year and hanging out in cold side. All you can do now is wait until he gets active again. You can try to offer food on feeding days but otherwise leave hime alone.

[@technomorphtv5834]

I know this video is old but could you do an updated video like detailing what you put in the hides? Cause mine might begin this rather shortly

[@3012ftp]

i use eco earth / coco fiber for the hides

[@mitson11almonte37]

thank you so much!

[@Nenno]

Fantastic video 😊

[@3012ftp]

Thank you :)

[@3012ftp]

done :)

[@keishapetfamily]

Nice leopard gecko channel

[@TheAnimalguy1996]

Thank you

[@myzoo2856]

Is it possible for geckos to go into the cycle naturally without you doing any of the stuff

[@3012ftp]

Yes, they sense the change in air pressure and often start the process on their own by hanging out in cool side more. I do the "stuff" afterwards😃

[@myzoo2856]

@@3012ftp thanks somuch I was worrying about my Leo thanks so much

[@tigipilled]

how do you know when they will go into brumation? Do all leopard geckos go into brumation? And do I take their droppings to a vet to be tested? How much is it? Also, I have a heat mat for my leopard gecko. What do I do with that during the reducing period?

[@3012ftp]

Most times they will start hanging out in the cold side more that's when they want to start brumating. Yes all healthy leopard geckos go into brumation. It's important to get their poop tested on parasites before brumation, they should be parasite free. I can't tell you, it varies in the different countries. Per test i pay CHF 37.- you can just reduce the time the heat mat is on, just as i do it with the light

[@tigipilled]

GECKOS thank you ❤️

[@sapphirus3023]

I didn't realize that this was why my gecko was acting strange..she's perfectly fine right now but i have been trying to feed her in november (which she does eat) I feel so horrible that I wasn't aware of this before.. Will my gecko be okay?

[@3012ftp]

Exactly. The gecko will eat as soon as he feels like it. Just offer food on feeding days and one day it'll start eating again.

[@sapphirus3023]

@@3012ftp okay good.

[@liamsmith331]

A lot of people don't brumate their geckos at all and as far as we can tell they are fine without. Mainly you want to do brumation if you are breeding so that it mimics their natural cycle. You breed them when you start feeding them again after brumation.

[@definitelylukadoncic]

what the heck does 8h mean??? please answer.

[@3012ftp]

It means 8 hours

[@Cgraseck]

Hi, I'm new to leopard geckos. I'm a biology teacher and I'm thinking of breeding geckos in my classroom. I have lots of experience with keeping and breeding tropical fish. I have 10 aquariums in my classroom as well as two in the school lobby. I wondering about vacation care. This year we have a full two week Christmas break. If I had a gecko could I just not feed it for two weeks and leave it with a water bowl? Would it be a good Idea to unplug the heat mat during this time? What would you suggest? Am I just asking for trouble? Thanks, Chris

[@3012ftp]

Hi. You can't just unplug the heat mat and leave the gecko for two weeks. The brumation process needs a lot more time (like shown in the video) when i go on vacation i leave them for a max of one week without food but i have someone to check on them that refills the water and makes sure everything's ok. I would recommend taking the gecko home during the christmas break.

[@Cgraseck]

Thanks, Chris

[@natesgeckos9772]

After the 3 weeks you feed them right? And during the 3 months no food correct?

[@3012ftp]

Nates Geckos no i don't feed them during the whole process of reducing the light/heat and the tree months of brumation Its just important to leave the heat at normal levels for the first three weeks that they can digest the rest of the remaining food in their stomach before reducing the light/and heat

[@natesgeckos9772]

Ok so during the 3 weeks the heat is normal, and no food. And during the 3 months they get no food and cooler temperatures? And what is a good date to start feeding in the spring?

[@3012ftp]

Nates Geckos exactly. In spring you do the whole precess in reverse. So put them in the tank, every two days 1h more of the heat and light and when you are back at 12h of heat you can start feeding them again.

[@natesgeckos9772]

GECKOS Thank you so much! You were very helpful :)

[@reyruthless5559]

Can brumation be done in the winter or must it start in the Fall?

[@3012ftp]

i'm not sure i get the question :D the process starts during fall, the geckos will be less active and don't want to eat that much anymore. first you have make sure they are parasite free, in case you have to treat them, this could take several weeks. then you have to let them empty their bowels which takes 3 weeks and then slowly reduce the light which takes another 3 weeks so you have to start in fall otherwise the geckos won't be brumating until spring^^

[@reyruthless5559]

@@3012ftp well I'm planning on getting some leopard geckos on December 8 at the Fresno Reptile expo. I was curious about if have to start there burmation when i get them.

[@3012ftp]

@@reyruthless5559 ah ok, if you're getting new geckos you should quarantine them anyways so i would sit this one out and let them brumate next winter

[@reyruthless5559]

@@3012ftp thank you. Not knowing has been driving me crazy. Next year it is. Again thank you so much

[@WG9775]

Is it necessary to move the gecko out of there tank?

[@3012ftp]

If you can provide the low temperatures required in the tank, the gecko can stay inside

[@WG9775]

@@3012ftp Ok thank you! Also since I have real plants in my enclosure how would they stay alive with no Lighting, I’m guessing it would not work out?

[@3012ftp]

@@WG9775 i would take the gecko out then.

[@WG9775]

@@3012ftp ok thank you, I am just wondering if you can do this but with all the lights on but there is little to no food and lower tempatures?

[@anarusmiler4866]

Do leopard geckos NEED to brute or is it optional?

[@3012ftp]

For me it's not optional because that's what they do in the wild. But a lot of people just ignore the fact or are too lazy😉

[@justinhumphries6594]

I'm so confused by this... First off how do you KNOW exactly when to start the process... Secondly, if you are not feeding them won't they die? Thirdly, can this be done within their normal environment? I have mine in a really large tank with lots of room, so if he needs to be isolated to one area it wouldn't be difficult to quarantine him if I needed to... And lastly what are the overall benefits of this? I have 4 children that interact with him daily as well as myself... And he seems fine , normal appetite normal bowel movements, he's never been the most active geck around... But he is active and alternates between his warm and cold sides like I thought he should be doing anyway.... Someone please help lol

[@3012ftp]

did you read the caption?^^ At about 15°C and lower the metabolism slows down and they won't lose any weight if they are healthy. i start the process calculating in enough time to be able to put them in the cellar at the right temperature. often they will indicate brumation by not wanting to eat and hanging out at the cold side of the tank. if you let them brumate in their tank the temperatures will most likely be too high for them (it should be around 10 to a max of 15°C) Why i'm doing this? it's their natural behaviour and my goal is to keep them as natural as possible (keeping my geckos separate now). if you google the temps in afganistan during the winter you'll see that they drop significantly. in my opinion daily interaction with the reptile is too much, they are observing animals and they don't need human interaction ;) for example closing their eyes while being stroked on the head means discomfort and not that they enjoy what's happening.

[@justinhumphries6594]

@@3012ftp I get all that, what I mean by daily interaction isn't handling them, we talk to him and hold him maybe twice a week... Lol he loves to walk around outside his tank on his adventure days... But he's only about 6 months old... So that's why I was asking bc I can't find any info on how old they need to be or their weight... Maybe I wasn't being clear as to what I was saying... Lol I work 3rd shift so I was half asleep when I commented haha

[@3012ftp]

@@justinhumphries6594 i would wait until he's one year old, i wouldn't risk anything at this age ;)

[@justinhumphries6594]

@@3012ftp sounds good... Lol that's an answer I can get on board with 😂🤣

[@iqhonk2075]

I'm not gonna listen to you, especially with the cohabitation :(

[@3012ftp]

? The video is not about cohabitation it‘s about brumation. And i’m not cohabiting leopard geckos anymore.

[@kaysheridan2513]

You shouldn't cohab your geckos, it's very dangerous. I'd suggest you seperate them if you haven't already!

[@3012ftp]

Why, did you have a bad experience?

[@kaysheridan2513]

@@3012ftp No I haven't but there are countless people who have. They seem fine for a couple years but eventually they will fight. That could be over food or space. One gecko will dominate the other eventually. They are solitary animals which means they should live alone and like to live alone. It stresses the geckos out and you need a lot of space to keep two geckos together, that's six hides in total and a 40+ gallon tank. But keeping them is definitely not a good idea. It is outdated information that saying that two females can be together. There are tons of signs your gecko will give that shows they are stressed about it.

[@3012ftp]

@@kaysheridan2513 i agree that they are solitary animals👍 and as long as there's no agression they are fine. My tank is huge (150x60x60cm) and it currently houses two females. It's well structured with a lot of hides not a small shitty 20 gallon tank with like two sad hides...cohabed in too small tanks i get why it goes wrong with a lot of people ;)

[@kaysheridan2513]

@@3012ftp sure buddy sure

[@3012ftp]

@@kaysheridan2513 yes, buddy ;)