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Texas Alligators Adapt to Extreme Cold Conditions

In a recent Instagram post by Gator Country, alligator specialist Gary Saurage demonstrated how alligators are coping with the unusually low temperatures in Texas this winter. The footage showcases Saurage, bundled up against the cold, presenting a striking scene of these reptiles in their natural habitat.

“Welcome to Gator Country in extreme conditions,” Saurage declared as he navigated the frosty landscape of the Beaumont adventure park and reptile rescue center. As he moved along a bridge, the camera captured images of alligators just beneath a thick layer of ice, their snouts peeking out into the frigid air.

Saurage highlighted the challenges faced by alligators during this harsh weather, explaining, “We know how to deal with floods. We know how to deal with hurricanes, but folks, this is what’s really tough on an alligator.”

The video zoomed in on several alligators, barely visible under the ice, which displayed a remarkable survival tactic: the reptiles keep their nostrils exposed above the surface, allowing them to breathe. Saurage remarked on their intelligence, noting, “These animals are so genius to poke their heads through the ice so that they can breathe.”

As the alligators stay submerged, Saurage provided insights into their physiological adaptations to the cold. He indicated that when their nostrils are visible, they are taking one breath approximately every minute. “Their heart rate drops to just three beats per minute. That animal is in a state of suspended hibernation,” he explained, adding, “Is that not fascinating?”

However, it is important to note that the term “hibernation” is not entirely accurate when describing this state for reptiles; they undergo a process known as brumation. “Brumation is to reptiles what hibernation is to mammals,” explains a source from Nationwide Pet Insurance. This dormancy period is crucial for their survival during winter months.

As temperatures in Texas and other southern regions are anticipated to rise back to normal levels soon, the National Weather Service had earlier warned of a “harsh taste of winter” lingering in the area.

Recently, severe winter storms have not only triggered alligator brumation in Texas but have also resulted in rare snowfall across states such as Florida and Louisiana. The frigid weather prompted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency, while New Orleans recently experienced snowfall that broke a record set almost 130 years ago.

Source
people.com