Why Is My Leopard Gecko Not Moving Could It Be Brumation

If you’ve noticed your leopard gecko barely moving, refusing food, or spending most of its time hidden away, it’s natural to worry. One of the most common explanations—especially during cooler months—is brumation. Unlike mammals, reptiles don’t hibernate in the traditional sense, but they do undergo a similar process called brumation, which can mimic signs of illness. Understanding this behavior is crucial to ensuring your pet remains healthy and isn’t unnecessarily stressed by well-meaning but incorrect interventions.

Brumation is a seasonal, temperature-driven slowdown in activity that helps reptiles conserve energy when environmental conditions are less favorable. For leopard geckos in captivity, this doesn’t always follow a strict seasonal pattern, but it can still occur—particularly if temperatures drop or daylight hours shorten. However, inactivity can also signal serious health issues like metabolic bone disease, impaction, or infection. The key is knowing how to differentiate between normal brumation and a medical emergency.

Understanding Brumation in Leopard Geckos

Brumation is a natural physiological response in many reptiles, including leopard geckos. It’s an energy-conserving state triggered primarily by changes in temperature, light cycles, and sometimes food availability. In the wild, leopard geckos native to arid regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India experience seasonal temperature drops during winter months. To survive these cooler periods, their metabolism slows significantly, leading to reduced movement, appetite, and overall activity.

In captivity, brumation may still occur even if your home is climate-controlled—especially if your gecko is exposed to fluctuating room temperatures or if lighting schedules mimic shorter winter days. While not all captive leopard geckos brumate, many do, particularly those over one year old. Juveniles and underweight geckos typically should not brumate, as they need consistent nutrition for growth and development.

During brumation, a leopard gecko may:

• Move very little or only at night
• Refuse food for weeks or even months
• Bury itself in substrate or stay in cool hides
• Breathe slowly and appear lethargic
• Lose slight weight (but not drastically)

These behaviors are normal *if* the gecko remains hydrated, maintains stable body condition, and resumes normal activity when conditions improve. The critical distinction lies in observing whether your gecko shows additional signs of distress—such as sunken eyes, labored breathing, or visible injuries—which would point toward illness rather than brumation.

“Brumation is not a disorder—it’s a survival mechanism. Healthy adult geckos can safely enter a brumative state when cued by environmental changes, but it must be monitored closely.” — Dr. Rebecca Tran, Exotic Animal Veterinarian

How to Tell If It’s Brumation vs. Illness

Distinguishing brumation from sickness is essential because misinterpreting symptoms can lead to delayed treatment or unnecessary stress on your pet. A brumating gecko will generally look healthy despite being inactive. An ill gecko, on the other hand, often displays physical deterioration.

Below is a comparison table outlining key differences:

Sign	Brumation	Illness
Appetite	Reduced or absent, but gradual onset	Sudden refusal, even in warm conditions
Movement	Minimal; slow but coordinated	Uncoordinated, wobbly, or paralyzed
Eyes	Bright and clear	Sunken, cloudy, or closed shut
Weight	Stable or slight, gradual loss	Rapid, noticeable weight loss
Hydration	Normal skin elasticity	Dry, wrinkled skin
Breathing	Slow and regular	Labored, wheezing, or open-mouthed
Defecation	Reduced but occasional	None for extended period with bloating

If your gecko exhibits any combination of rapid weight loss, sunken eyes, difficulty breathing, or discharge from the mouth or nose, seek veterinary care immediately. These are red flags indicating infection, impaction, or respiratory disease—not brumation.

Tip: Gently pinch the skin on your gecko’s back to check hydration. If it snaps back quickly, hydration is good. If it tents or returns slowly, dehydration may be present.

Creating the Right Conditions for Safe Brumation

If you suspect your leopard gecko is entering brumation and is otherwise healthy, you can support the process by adjusting its environment. This ensures the brumation is safe and reversible when desired.

Start by confirming your gecko is mature (at least one year old), well-fed, and free of parasites or infections. Weigh your gecko before brumation begins so you can monitor for excessive weight loss later. Then, gradually adjust the habitat over 1–2 weeks:

1. Reduce photoperiod: Lower daylight exposure from 12–14 hours to 8–10 hours per day using a timer for consistency.
2. Cool the enclosure: Gradually lower the warm-side temperature from ~90°F (32°C) to around 70–75°F (21–24°C). Do not let it drop below 65°F (18°C).
3. Maintain humidity: Keep the moist hide functional with damp sphagnum moss to prevent dehydration.
4. Stop feeding: Cease offering food 7–10 days before cooling to allow full digestion and avoid gut impaction.
5. Monitor weekly: Check weight, hydration, and posture every 7–10 days.

Brumation typically lasts 4–12 weeks. To end it, reverse the process: gradually increase heat and light duration over 7–10 days, then resume feeding. Offer small, easily digestible insects like mealworms or silkworms initially.

“Never force a gecko into brumation. It should be a voluntary, gradual process supported by proper husbandry—not forced by sudden cold or starvation.” — Dr. Alan Finch, Reptile Nutrition Specialist

Common Mistakes That Mimic or Trigger Health Issues

Many cases of apparent brumation are actually the result of improper care. Misdiagnosing poor husbandry as brumation can delay necessary corrections and endanger your gecko’s life. Common mistakes include:

• Incorrect temperatures: A tank that’s too cold prevents digestion and causes lethargy, mimicking brumation.
• Poor substrate choices: Sand or loose materials can cause impaction, leading to immobility and appetite loss.
• Dehydration: Lack of water or low humidity leads to constipation and weakness.
• Overhandling: Stress from frequent handling can suppress appetite and activity.
• Parasites: Internal worms or protozoa can cause weight loss and sluggishness.

A real-world example illustrates this: Sarah, a first-time gecko owner, noticed her two-year-old male gecko hadn’t moved in five days and wasn’t eating. She assumed it was brumation and lowered the temperature further. After a week, the gecko lost 15% of its body weight and developed sunken eyes. A vet visit revealed a severe case of intestinal impaction caused by ingesting calcium sand. With proper hydration and mineral oil treatment, the gecko recovered—but only after a costly and stressful ordeal.

This scenario underscores why assumptions can be dangerous. Always verify environmental parameters and health status before concluding brumation is occurring.

Step-by-Step Guide: What to Do When Your Gecko Stops Moving

If you walk into your gecko’s room and find it motionless, follow this logical sequence to assess the situation:

1. Check enclosure temperature: Use a reliable digital thermometer to verify both warm and cool side temps. Correct any deviations immediately.
2. Assess hydration: Look for sunken eyes or dry, wrinkled skin. Offer a shallow bath of warm water and electrolyte solution (1 tsp Pedialyte per cup of water) for 15–20 minutes.
3. Inspect for injuries or swelling: Look for cuts, lumps, retained shed (especially around eyes or toes), or signs of infection.
4. Review recent diet and defecation: Has it eaten recently? Any bowel movements in the last 7–10 days? Impaction often follows large or infrequent feedings.
5. Observe breathing: Is it smooth and subtle? Wheezing or gaping indicates respiratory infection.
6. Handle gently: Pick up your gecko carefully. A brumating gecko will move slightly or reposition itself. A sick or dying gecko may hang limply.
7. Weigh your gecko: Track weight daily. A loss of more than 10% of body weight warrants urgent vet attention.
8. Consult a reptile-savvy vet: If in doubt, get a professional diagnosis. Fecal tests, X-rays, and blood work can rule out parasites or organ failure.

Tip: Keep a gecko journal tracking weight, feeding, shedding, and behavior. This log becomes invaluable during health assessments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can baby leopard geckos brumate?

No, juveniles under one year old should not brumate. They require consistent nutrition for growth. If a young gecko becomes inactive, it’s likely due to illness, improper temperatures, or malnutrition—and requires immediate attention.

How long does brumation last in leopard geckos?

Typically between 4 to 12 weeks. Some geckos may brumate for shorter or longer periods depending on individual biology and environmental cues. Never allow brumation to extend beyond 3 months without veterinary consultation.

Should I wake my gecko up from brumation?

Avoid disturbing a brumating gecko unless signs of illness appear. Sudden warming or handling can stress the animal. Instead, monitor passively and prepare to gradually end brumation after 6–8 weeks if no improvement occurs.

Final Checklist: Is It Brumation? Verify Before Acting

Before concluding your leopard gecko is brumating, run through this checklist:

• ✅ Gecko is over 1 year old
• ✅ Previously healthy with steady weight
• ✅ Enclosure temperatures have dropped gradually
• ✅ No signs of dehydration (skin snaps back)
• ✅ Eyes are clear and alert when open
• ✅ Breathing is slow but regular
• ✅ Hides in cool area but occasionally shifts position
• ✅ No diarrhea, mucus, or foul odor

If all items are checked, brumation is likely. If any are “no,” treat it as a potential health crisis.

Conclusion: Observe, Don’t Assume

A leopard gecko not moving can be a normal part of its annual cycle—or a warning sign of serious trouble. Brumation is a natural process, but it’s not required for captive geckos and should never be forced. Your role as a caretaker is to observe closely, maintain optimal conditions, and intervene when something seems off.

When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Contact a qualified reptile veterinarian rather than waiting it out. With attentive care, most geckos recover well from minor setbacks, and understanding brumation empowers you to support your pet through seasonal changes safely.

💬 Have a brumation story or question? Share your experience below—your insight could help another gecko owner avoid a common mistake.