Bearded dragon sleeping constantly in winter
Brumation, but confirm it isn’t illness first
Is this urgent?
Not by itself. Sleeping constantly in winter usually has an ordinary explanation, and the section below covers what to check. It becomes urgent when it arrives alongside one of the 5 same-day signs, or when it does not resolve once the cause is fixed.
From the guide · Brumation and estivation · §7.1
Brumation, in winter
As the weather turns some dragons choose to brumate. They may still come out to bask now and then before going back to sleep. Leave the lighting on.
| Date | Daylight period |
|---|---|
| 1 November | reduce to 8 hours |
| 15 November | reduce to 6 hours |
| 15 February | back up to 8 hours |
| 1 March | up to 12 hours |
Daylight hours step down from twelve to eight on 1 November, to six on 15 November, back to eight on 15 February and to twelve on 1 March.
Not sure this matches what you’re seeing? Ask Lizzy and describe it in your own words, or scan all 22 signs. A weight trend is the earliest warning for most of these, the free tracker keeps it.
Related signs
A community guide with general suggestions, not veterinary advice. If your dragon is unwell, please seek a proper diagnosis from an exotic vet. Guide last updated 27 August 2026.