Cooling?

[FaaFaa]

This in my first winter with an adult Crested Gecko. I am noticing that Quin is spending more time burried under the substrate and not eating as much now that its cooler. I have also noticed that my juvie Crested and even my tiny Gargoyle are not taking in as much. Is this all due to the cooler temps? I had a bearded dragon that would brumate over the winter but I was unsure if cooling was a normal gecko thing because I only see talk of it when people are talking about breeding. Is there a good thread or article on the topic of cooling? Is this normal? Who can give me the scoop?

 

[FaaFaa]

never mind, I didn't realize there was a whole section related to this! Sorry!

 

[CrestedRick]

Last year was my first winter and I noticed that earring slowed down during the colder months here in CT.

 

[FaaFaa]

Thanks! It doesn't stay cool here in NW FL for long. But my adult and the others have slowed down a good bit.

 

[Aimless]

Cresties aren't really wired for brumation. a little cooling and a little slowing of activity is OK, but a lot of slowing down is concerning. what are your daytime and nighttime temps? if they are too cold they won't metabolize well and will be more prone to developing illness. it's possible you will have to give them a little extra heat in the winter.

 

[FaaFaa]

Hey Aimless! I think that when I said they have "slowed down a good bit" I didn't choose my words wisely. They are all still eating, just not as much. Quin is 49 grams and holding. She just keeps burying herself in the substrate, so much so she is hard to find! This is new behavior that she started when it got cooler. My temps do fluctuate because we open the windows when we are able. It never goes below 70 though. Winters here are mild I hope that this helped to clarify.

 

[FaaFaa]

Snapped a few pictures of what's going on. I'm more curious than worried.

 

[Aimless]

Mine typically burrow like that only when shedding or laying eggs, or the rare occasion humidity is too low.