winter

Question
Why wont my bearded dragons poop during the winter?
I know it sounds weird but I am worried about them and need to know if they are okay. I know during the winter they do not like to eat as much as usual but they still eat so why doesn't it come out?

Thank you,
    Janet

Answer
 Brumation is a semi-hibernation that many reptiles have instinctively gone through in the wild.  When winter approaches and food becomes scarce, the reptile's metabolism slows to a crawl and they find dark places like hollow logs, caves and even create burrows to sleep and wait out winter.  Although captive beardies have no need to brumate unless they are breeding, the instinct is very strong and many beardies will lazily bask in their tanks and not eat.  Their metabolism is so slow that they do not lose much weight.  I notice that my beardies will give a huge emptying poop before they start sleeping, some will wake, come out, eat, then go back and sleep some more.  And next year it will change again.  The best brumation information is from Dr. Kathryn Tosney:

http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDbrumate.html