Second year in a row that this has happened in North Carolina swamp.
25 Jan 2019 – Freezing temperatures triggered at least 18 of the cold-blooded creatures to turn to brumation, a type of temporary hibernation specific to reptiles.
“It’s a survival mechanism that they do in the event they need to breathe. They stick their noses up out of the water, and if it freezes, it will freeze around their snout and still allow them to breathe,” explained George Howard, general manager of Shallotte River Swamp Park.
US Alligators Go Dormant, Turn Snouts Up in Frozen Swamp (PHOTO, VIDEO)
Environment Get short URL Freezing temperatures in North Carolina have triggered over a dozen cold-blooded creatures to turn to brumation, a type of temporary hibernation specific to reptiles. On Monday, at least 18 American alligators’ snouts were seen exposed and frozen within Shallotte River Swamp Park’s waters, causing some to scratch their heads about the creatures’ choices.