Pour a cup of Joe, tuck in with a warm blanket and get ready to percolate over these fascinating facts about brumation!

1. What’s Bru-ing Over the Winter?

You may be familiar with hibernation — a state of dormancy, slower heart rate and lower body temperature — that some mammals (like bears) use as a process to survive intense winter months. With brumation, something totally different is settling down for the winter: reptiles!

2. How Long Does It Take To Bru?

If you thought that drive through line at the local coffee shop was long, you probably don’t want to take up brumation anytime soon! Seasonal temperatures affect the timing of brumation throughout different habitats and ecosystems, but it typically begins in November and ends in February. That’s approximately 120 mugs of your daily cuppa!

3. Can You Really Fall Asleep With This Bru?

Reptiles do sleep during brumation, but just like most of us after a cup of coffee, there are periods of time to use some energy! In contrast to mammals that fall into a deep sleep throughout hibernation, ceasing eating and drinking altogether, reptiles in brumation still have times they’re up and about!

4. How Can You Stay Warm With Only This Bru?

If reptiles are cold blooded, meaning their body temperature is affected by the ambient or environmental temperature around them, how can they stay warm throughout brumation? This is where the key difference between hibernation and brumation comes in! During their periods of activity in brumation, reptiles are typically digging burrows in the mud to stay warm, sunning themselves on slightly warmer days or drinking water to stay hydrated!

5. When Will This Bru Finally Wake You Up?

How does an animal know when to stop the process of brumation? “Waking up” from brumation is a gradual process. Reptiles can sense when ambient temperatures begin to rise and the days grow longer. This signals their “internal biological clock” that it’s time to be active again for spring!

Published January 16, 2025