BEAU – Gator Country in Beaumont, Texas, is no stranger to extreme weather. From floods to hurricanes, they’ve seen it all.
But when the Lone Star State dips into sub-freezing temperatures, even these seasoned swamp survivors face a unique challenge—keeping their alligators alive and well in icy conditions.
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In a video shared by the wildlife park, their alligators are seen showing a fascinating survival technique: sticking their snouts through the frozen surface of their pond.
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This allows them to breathe while their bodies slow down into a near-suspended animation. Taking just one breath every minute and with heart rates dropping to a mere three beats per minute, these ancient reptiles essentially hit “pause” on life until the temperatures rise again.
What’s even more impressive? The young gators instinctively know to do the same. As soon as they start feeling the chill, they head to the surface to position themselves for the freeze.
The video also highlighted a particularly resilient member of the Gator Country crew—an injured gator who had been shot in the upper jaw. Unable to stick just his nostrils above the ice, he had to keep his entire head exposed to survive. While it’s not ideal, his built-in hibernation mode ensures he can endure the cold snap.
Alligators, it seems, are the ultimate survivors, having been around for more than 300 million years. And with clever strategies like these, it’s no wonder they’ve stood the test of time—even when Mother Nature cranks the thermostat way down.
