Bearded Dragon Brumation

Question
My male beardie is almost 8 mths old, he is 18.5 inches long.  The last 3 wks or so, I've noticed a change in his behaviour. He is hiding in his cave all day long, eating less and not very active when I take him out. I bathe him every 2 days in order for him to go the bathroom.  His basking temp ranges between 100-105 degrees and the cool side is in the low to mid 80's.  I just replace his UV Bulb.  His surroundings did not change.  He gets collard greens, dandelions, endives, escarole, butternut squash.  He eats only a few crickets a day, which I do sprinkle with calcium every so often.  To me, he is showing signs of brumation.  If so, is it normal for it to happen at this time of year and at this age? And how do I take care of him while he is brumating?  He hasn't been in a dead sleep, I notice his eyes or open often.  My main concern is how long can he go without using the bathroom?  How often to I bathe him?  And basically, do we just leave him alone?

Answer
Hello Joanna,

Which UVB are you using?  Is it a fluorescent tube bub or a compact/coil light?
They can brumateaffect  at 8 months of age.  This time of year though he should be coming out of brumation not going into it.  It is not real normal for them to go in this late in the year or early, however you consider it.  
I know the weather has been just crazy, back & forth cold & hot.  I think that can really affect them.  
If he is only partially brumating he will eat here & there.  I wouldn't feed him too much until he is up & basking so food doesn't sit in his tummy & cause digestive issues.  You can bathe him weekly also.  He can go weeks without going to the bathroom if he doesn't warm up enough to move anything through his system.  
Where in Canada are you located?
You can check on him daily, to see how he is looking & to make sure he is not losing any weight or becoming dehydrated.  How much does he weigh?
He probably wont brumate for long since it is almost spring now.  The days should be lengthening enough to encourage him to come out of brumation fully.
When he is up & basking & out of brumation, he need calcium 4-5 times a week.  Right now, he wont use too much of it in his system.  I would give it a little more time but start trying to get him to come out pretty soon.  
The diet sounds very diverse which is great!  Are you using a digital probe or a temp gun to measure the temps?

Let me know how he is doing.
Tracie