Hibernation

malevolence714 · Member Joined: Jun 03, 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Buena Park

Do Columbian Tegus Hibernate? I know it's a noob question, but Im getting mixed answers. Thanks

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1470

Hi malevolence714,
your right about that being a confusing question and no colombian tegus DO NOT hibernate. there may be times where they will brumate.

malevolence714 · Member Joined: Jun 03, 2008 Posts: 38 Location: Buena Park

Okay cool. Thanks Angelrose. Im still new to my tegus and I want to make sure theyre squared away at all times and that I dont overlook anything.

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1470

sincerely welcome. it's all about the tegu, anytime

tupinambis · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately, Angelrose, your answer makes no sense. Brumation IS hibernation.

Brumation is a winter depression of metabolism independent of temperature seen in reptiles.

Hibernation, for it to be an accepted physiological state, is a winter depression of metabolism independent of temperature.

It is said that Tupinambis teguixin don't hibernate, but all reptiles seem to be able to adopt a depressed metabolism in response to adverse conditions (such as reduced temperatures, food availability, etc.).

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1470

thank you tupinambis for the correction.

I looked up the definition of brumation and found it on RepticZone. according to the definition that is exactly what my colombian does. she will get up to eat and then sleep for about 2 days at the most a week tops in the winter.
she (my colombian) is with me for over 3 years now and she has never slept for 5 to 7 months.

and I was also reading this:
http://ns.rc.unesp.br/ib/zoologia/denis/AnLITC.pdf

I understand what you are saying in your definitions of Brumation and Hibernation. perhaps you can give me a clear example of when a tegu is brumating/hibernating.

tupinambis · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 10:43 pm Post subject:

Interesting you found that, I co-wrote it!

Unfortunately, there isn't really a behavioural component to hibernation that one could readily observe and say "YES! This is/isn't hibernation". The qualifier is in being able to measure some component of metabolism and determining that it is lower than what that animal should have at that temperature.

As I wrote, though, it is said that Tupinambis teguixin doesn't hibernate. I don't think anyone has actually proven that they don't, and I'm willing to bet that most reptiles actually can hibernate to a degree. But what you are describing to me seems to be just a seasonal slowing down. I would state that if truly hibernating, they would undergo aphagia (not eating).

angelrose · Moderator Joined: Jan 05, 2008 Posts: 1470

then let me thank you again for co-writing that article. it is the best I ever read in helping me to understand.

I feel like a load has been lifted. the first paragraph and the last sentence you typed has really cleared this up for me.

I am forever in your debt.

worldeater · Respected Member Joined: Mar 06, 2008 Posts: 590

oww my brain, how about we just call one sleepy and the other sleepiest
_________________
1.1.0 Arg B/W Tegu Joker n Groxy
1.0.0 Australian Water Dragon "Spyro"
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider "Turdy"
0.1.0 White Dwarf Hamster "MiMi"
1.1.0 Black&Albino Kingsnakes "Pearl & Hannibal"