Where Do Alligators Go During the Winter: Surviving the Cold

The alligator is one of Florida’s most iconic denizens. Over a million American alligators are thriving in the Sunshine State. That’s an amazing number considering how the species almost became extinct. The American alligator is a fitting symbol of Florida’s untamed wilderness. People often associate gators with the state’s warm and humid climate. But where do alligators go during the winter? How does this cold-blooded animal survive the cold months? This post explores the alligator’s survival tactics and its unique adaptations. People often associate winter with hibernation. You learned from your teachers that bears and groundhogs hibernate. But did you know that alligators do something similar? American alligators enter a brumation state during the cold season. It’s like hibernation in the sense that it allows gators to conserve their energy. They become lethargic during brumation and eat little to no food. Gators do not fall into a deep sleep when they enter brumation though....