Brumation: Winter Is Coming For Reptiles

12 Feb 2024

Context: 

Reptiles going in the state of brumation to conserve its energy to survive harsh environmental conditions. 

Brumation

What Is Brumation?

  • It is a dormant period for reptiles. 
  • This process is similar to hibernation in mammals. 
  • The timing and duration of this process differ depending on the species, age, and gender of the reptile. Typically, males tend to awaken from their dormant state earlier than females.
  • During this period, reptiles may
    • Reptiles slow down: Their bodies work less to save energy for winter.
    • Less food, more sleep: They don’t eat and defecate much (or at all!) for several weeks. 
      • BrumationThey move around less and mostly stay in the darkest and coldest part of the place. 
      • They sometimes go outside to drink water to stay hydrated.  
    • Long nap: They’re not completely asleep, but they’re very still and quiet.
    • Survival technique: Brumation helps them survive the cold months when food might be scarce.

Why Do Reptiles Brumate?

  • Incapability to control body Temperature: Reptiles take a long nap (brumate) during the cold season because they can’t control their body temperature.
  • Endure Environmental conditions: They brumate so that they can avoid cold weather, and lack of food and water.

Hibernation Vs Brumation VS Aestivation

Animals Hibernation (Endothermic Animals) Brumation (Ectothermic Animals) Aestivation 
Consumption of food In Hibernation,  animals don’t stop eating before entering inactivity In Brumation,  animals stop eating before entering inactivity In aestivation, animals stop feeding. 
Dormancy state It is a state of dormancy in warm-blooded animals, It is a state of dormancy in cold – blooded animals. This process takes place in cold – blooded animals. 
Activity Level Completely inactive; no eating, drinking, or movement May become partially active on warmer days Animals become inactive in the summer season. 
Metabolic Rate metabolic rate goes down but is still active Slowed, but not as significantly as in hibernation metabolic activity gets low due to seeking shelter in cool underground burrow. 
Examples Bears, bats, groundhogs Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs snails, lungfish, Desert tortoises 
Regulation of Body Temperature Internal External (rely on environment) External (rely on environment)


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