See What Gators Had to Do to Survive Texas Freeze

Have You Ever Wondered How Alligators Survive During a Freeze?

I am sure the last thing we were thinking about during the last freeze were the alligators that call Louisiana and Texas home. While we were busy making sure our homes were freeze-prepped alligators were doing their own little preparations to make it through the freeze.

An Alligator in Texas Has Gone Viral Because of an Interesting  Hybernating Technique.

An Alligator rescue called Gator Country in Beaumont, Texas took to their TikTok to show one of the craziest hibernation techniques. This alligator is in a frozen pond and it is completely still. It looks frozen underwater, the only thing showing life is the gator's nose sticking out above the water.

Gator Country owner Gary Saurage explains what is happening in the TikTok video: “That animal is in full hibernation right there. His heart is beating three beats per minute. Folks, that’s amazing. That’s how alligators survive in the ice.”  

What Is it Called When an Alligator Is in Frozen Water With Nostrils Sticking Up Through the Ice?

This is brumation in action. According to Webster, It is a state or condition of sluggishness, inactivity, or torpor exhibited by reptiles (such as snakes or lizards) during winter or extended periods of low temperature. This subterranean torpor is not a true hibernation … but a cold-blooded version of slowing down called brumation.

@gatorcountrytx #alligatorsoftiktok #gatorcountrybmt #hibernation #fyp #garysaurage ♬ God's Country - State of Mine & Drew Jacobs