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Frozen Gators

Short answer: When temperatures drop, American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) enter brumation, a reptile dormancy in which metabolism slows sharply.

In freezing water they may keep their nostrils above the surface as ice forms, letting them breathe while the rest of the body stays submerged and almost motionless. The footage, credited to AmazingNature, shows an alligator lying in icy water.

VideoWrite-up2 sources

In collections:Extreme Cold

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What should you know about Frozen Gators?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Brumation.

    DD-491-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (State)

  2. Slows.

    DD-491-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Metabolism)

Video transcript: Frozen Gators: Alligators Can Poke Their Snouts Through Ice to Breathe

Alligators survive [...] called brumation, [...] When temperatures [...] metabolism to [...] survival technique [...] where they keep [...] remain submerged. [...] almost motionless [...] NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 24.8s Reel ·

Video coming soonFrozen Gators · Instagram Reel
Frozen Gators: Alligators Can Poke Their Snouts Through Ice to Breathe Instagram Reel · · 24.8s

The write-up

Alligators can poke their snouts through ice to breathe. Their metabolism slows nearly to a stop.

  1. Exhibit A

    State

    Brumation.

  2. Exhibit B

    Metabolism

    Slows.

  3. Exhibit C

    Breathing

    Snout above ice.

  4. Exhibit D

    Body

    Submerged.

  5. Exhibit E

    Movement

    Almost none.

Questions people ask about Frozen Gators

Dormancy term?

Reptiles.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (State) · Wikipedia: Brumation

How do they breathe?

Nostrils.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Metabolism) · Wikipedia: Brumation

Metabolism?

Energy.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Breathing) · Wikipedia: American alligator

Body position?

Water.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Body) · Wikipedia: American alligator

Species?

U.S.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Movement) · Wikipedia: American alligator

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Dormancy term?

    1. Brumation
    2. Hibernation only
    3. Molting
    4. Estivation
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Brumation Reptiles. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (State) · Wikipedia: Brumation

  2. How do they breathe?

    1. Snout above ice
    2. Gills
    3. Skin
    4. They don't
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Snout above ice Nostrils. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Metabolism) · Wikipedia: Brumation

  3. Metabolism?

    1. Slows
    2. Speeds up
    3. Stops forever
    4. Doubles
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Slows Energy. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Breathing) · Wikipedia: American alligator

  4. Body position?

    1. Submerged
    2. On land
    3. In trees
    4. Flying
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Submerged Water. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Body) · Wikipedia: American alligator

  5. Species?

    1. American alligator
    2. Nile crocodile
    3. Caiman
    4. Gharial
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. American alligator U.S. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Movement) · Wikipedia: American alligator

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Frozen Gators." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-491, last updated Feb 18, 2025. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/frozen-gators/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/frozen-gators/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-491-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/frozen-gators/#DD-491-F01

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