Alligators Freeze Themselves In Ice To Survive US Cold Snaps
All over southern US states, alligators are allowing themselves to become frozen in bodies of water to protect themselves against the elements. Experts call the phenomenon brumation, as the reptiles have been spotted keeping their snouts above surface level to prevent suffocation. Brumation is similar to hibernation in mammals, with the heart rate of the creatures dropping to imperceptible levels when frozen. Given that alligators are cold-blooded, they are unable to generate their own heat, meaning they must rely on the heat of their surroundings. Temperatures in certain parts of the South have dropped to below freezing, especially across Texas and North Carolina. So, the animal's plummeting heart rate means its body demands less energy and heat to live, allowing it to survive while frozen. An arctic blast has brought extreme weather conditions to much of the South, leaving wildlife in very vulnerable positions. Some animals have been brought to rehabilitation centers to ensure the survival of local species.
