Alligators in North Carolina and Texas are freezing themselves solid in order to survive a rare cold snap in America.
The creatures have been submerging their whole body in the freezing water, with only their snouts and front teeth poking out from above the ice, so the creatures can breathe.
Several alligators have been spotted frozen” in a sanctuary called the Swamp Park in North Carolina, waiting for the water to thaw as temperatures fall as low as -10C degrees.
Another animal was discovered in the same frozen condition in an icy pond at the Gator Country rescue centre in Beaumont, Texas, which has also experienced freezing temperatures recently.
The reptiles are undergoing brumation - which is similar to how some mammals, warm-blooded animals, hibernate
The Swamp Park
The sanctuary in North Carolina posted a video online showing one of the alligators beginning to thaw out.
“People keep asking how the swamp puppies are doing — I'm happy to report that they are frozen solid," a representative of the Swamp Park in southern North Carolina, said in a video online.
“We literally have 'gatorcicles' right now.”
The reptiles are undergoing brumation - which is similar to how some mammals, warm-blooded animals, hibernate.
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During brumation, it's thought an alligator's heart can slow down to as few as three beats per minute, in order to conserve energy.
As their metabolism slows down, their body shuts down as they become frozen in water.
However, reptiles do not fall into a deep sleep during the process, so they can drink.
An expert from Gator Country Park explained the process, gesturing to the frozen creature.
The reptiles' bodies shut down whilst they are frozen in the water, in order to conserve energy
Gator Country
He said: “Most importantly, look at its snout. It has pushed its snout up through so it can get oxygen.
“That animal is in full hibernation right there. His heart’s beating at three beats per minute… That’s how alligators survive in the ice.”
Social media users were in awe at the footage, with some daring the Swamp Park’s staff to touch their noses to see if they reacted.
North Carolina is the northernmost US state with natural alligator habitation.
