Alligators are fascinating creatures because they thrive both on land and water. They are also known for their powerful tails and thick skin. As for their body temperature, they can regulate it by not moving around in warmer or cooler areas. But, one of the most fascinating things that alligators have is their way of “hibernating”.
Do Alligators Hibernate?
In hibernation, people imagine alligators sleeping and not moving for many months. That is it. Nothing more, nothing less.
What they do not know is that alligators do not hibernate. Instead, they enter a form of dormancy called brumation during the colder months. So what is brumation for alligators? How long can an alligator hibernate?
Brumation is when alligators become dormant for a few weeks to five months. They do this to survive the colder months, which are around November to early March.
This form of dormancy occurs when water temperatures have a significant drop. This prompts alligators to slow down their metabolism and become less active. While they do not hibernate in a normal way, their behavior resembles hibernation. Here, they spend extended periods in a sluggish, less responsive state.
The duration of this period can vary based on environmental conditions. But usually, alligators brumate for weeks to several months. This will depend on the severity of the cold and the region in which they live. Alligators adapt and have survival strategies in response to fluctuating temperatures.
When water temperatures drop below 13 degrees Celsius, they become less active. They seek shelter in “gator holes” or burrows deep during brumation. Sometimes, they even surface the tip of their snouts so they can breathe if the water freezes.
Take note, though, that they do not fall into a deep sleep like mammals. Instead, they become less active and rest. There are even times when the sun is out on warmer days; they go out and bask under it. But when the weather gets colder, that is when they burrow themselves in their holes.
Five Signs to Know If the Alligator is Going Brumation
For alligators in zoos and tourist areas, caretakers know when alligators brumate. But if you want to know more about this, below are five signs of their brumation:
1. Reduced activity and feeding. When they are nearing brumation, alligators become less active. Most of the time, they will be lying still instead of hunting or moving around. They would not even go out to bask under the sun.
As for eating, they would either eat less or stop eating at all. This is because their body slows down and their energy decreases.
2. Slower movements. Part of their brumation is a slower metabolism. When this happens, their movements become sluggish. This prevents them from swimming faster around in swamps and lakes. They do this because they need to conserve their energy during the colder months.
3. Sheltering or digging holes. When they are near brumation, they seek out areas like mud or submerged burrows. These become their “gator holes”. Here, they will take shelter during colder months as they offer a more stable environment. They are also shelters to conserve their energy for the brumation.
Also, the gator holes are small ponds or depressions in wetlands. They provide vital water sources and refuge, especially during the winter season. These cold-blooded reptiles excavate these holes using their feet, snouts, and tails. They clear the muck and vegetation to a great shelter when they go for brumation. The water in the holes helps alligators regulate their body temperature. This is especially true during the cold weather.
4. Seeking deeper water. Since alligators prepare themselves, they often seek deeper, more stable water sources. Here, the temperature does not change much, and deep water is much warmer. They want to keep warm so they can rest and conserve energy well.
5. Lack of aggression and socializing. Alligators are natural predators. They tend to get territorial during the warmer months. Yet, when they prepare for brumation, they become less aggressive towards others. They would rather rest than fight with other alligators for territory.
Indeed, alligators are fascinating creatures no matter what. They have their ways of conserving energy during winter. Seeing this on zoos or swamp tours is very educational and informative.
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