uromastyx -- hibernating or sick?

Question
QUESTION: Hi.  I have a uromastyx that I have had for 6 years.  He always seems happy and healthy, but lately he has been looking skinnier than usual, sleeping all the time, and not wanting to eat.  I am not sure if he is hibernating or sick.  Is there a way to tell?  Thanks in advance for your advice.

ANSWER: Hello Natalia, lizards do not exactly hibernate but actually brumate which is similiar but completely different. They will sleep almost all day and only waking for food and water. They will usually sleep on the cooler side of the tank and come up to bask only after meals. They will eat less maybe every 3 days or so. If after 5 days with no eating you need to take him to the vet. Are there any other symptoms? has he eaten at all? Let me know on some more information and I can do a bit more research. I hope its nothing serious, Good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your quick and knowledgeable reply.  My uromastyx Yuri did wake up and I think he ate some and went to the bathroom, but then he went back to sleep.  He is sleeping on the cooler side of the cage and he does seem to be in different positions everyday, so he is alive but really sleepy.  He has been under his heatlight only once or twice in the past few days.  I think you are right that he is brumating.  

I do have a question -- is brumating mandatory or is there some way I can snap him out of it?  I did look on the internet about brumation and it seemed to say brumation is helpful in getting them ready to breed.  Well, Yuri lives alone so there will be no breeding here.  Are there any other benefits of having him brumate?  He has not done this before.  Do you think it is because I shortened the amount of time his light is on since daylight savings time ended?  Could I increase the hours of light or put in a higher watt heatbulb so he thinks it is summer?  

I miss seeing him awake and alert and scurrying around.  How long will this brumating last?  Is there anything else I should know or do to help him through this?  I have been putting food out every day, but it doesn't look like he eats any of it.  Could anything harmful happen to him by not eating and basking like usual?  Or am I just a worrying mother?  

Thank you for all your advice!

Natalia

Answer
Hello Natalia, I am glad I could help and its nothing serious. Brumation lasts a good 3 months or so and is not mandatory. It can be helpful for their internal clocks but many lizards that can brumate dont and live long healthy lives. Keeping his light on 14 hours a day instead of 10-12 will help a lot and will make him think its summery months. A higher temperature sometimes help but only knock it up a couple degrees no more then 5. Reptiles can feel pressure changes during winter months and that is usually what induces brumation but sometimes the light changes and higher temperatures help. There is nothing wrong with having him stop brumating and nothing wrong with having him do it.
Its normal to be worried about him but they will only eat small bits and the fact he is on the cool side also seems like he is brumating. I think you should place one food item in at a time and see how he does with it. If you can setup a type of restricted pin in your house for him to walk around in. Being out of his home will make him aware and alert. Feed him in the living room in a pin and see how he does. Dont do it everyday but if he tries for the food you are more likely just a worrying mother. But that doesn't mean if he doesn't go for it that he is sick. Just look out for more symptoms and let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.
Good luck
-Yex