Reptiles Facts: How Long Can an Alligator Hibernate?

 

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”. 

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. 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.