Even crocodiles need some time to cool down.
A video of South Carolina’s so-called “gatorcicles” has gone viral on social media this week, as temperatures across the state plunge into the teens.
About ten of the impressive 9-foot-long cold-blooded creatures were seen frozen in the ice, with only their snouts sticking out of the shallow pool of The Swamp Park, an alligator sanctuary about 175 miles south of Raleigh.
But don’t worry, predators may look dead, but they are just avoiding the cold of winter.
“We asked crocodiles to do what they do – do an amazing job of protecting themselves by sticking their noses out of the water in the evening, allowing the water to freeze around them, but still allowing themselves to breathe,” Park said. manager George Howard said in a video shared Sunday.
A video of frozen alligators in South Carolina has gone viral, as temperatures in the area have forced them to adapt to the frozen waters they swim in. Swamp Park
The “gatorcicles” – as another worker put it – can stay frozen solid for as long as it takes to withstand the cold weather, which hit South Carolina last week and lasted through the weekend.
Crocodiles instinctively know when the weather is going down and prepare by sticking their noses above the surface and hanging their bodies in the water.
When the water freezes the next day, passers-by will only see a spout and enormous teeth sticking out.
Crocodiles can remain frozen for as long as it takes to survive the icy cold weather that plagues the southern region. Swamp Park
“Think of it as a cute little hazard snorkel,” the worker said.
The unusual evolutionary technique is known as brumation, which is the reptilian equivalent of mammalian hibernation, according to the South Carolina Aquarium.
Unlike mammals, crocodiles do not sleep deeply, but slow their metabolic rate and become lethargic with some periods of activity.
Crocodiles instinctively know when they need to prepare for the cold weather that freezes the waters where they are. Swamp Park
Even though they don’t eat in the winter, gators continue to drink.
Crocodiles give up their sleep and return to their favorite pastime – basking in the sun – on warmer days in winter.
This phenomenon is not limited to South Carolina, but anywhere alligators are frequent that experience a drop in temperature.
Texas, which experienced snow last week, also had its fair share of gatorcicles showing up in its waters.
“We’re merging but this is what American alligators do,” Eddie Hanhart said on TikTok.
“See he knew he was going to freeze last night, so what he did was he went and found him a comfortable place.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
