While cold winter days might be the perfect time for people to stay inside with a warm blanket and a nice cup of cocoa, alligators bundle up in their own way, retreating to burrows and dens under roads or in the banks of ponds and lakes.
In the spring and summer, when the water temperatures rise and the temperature of the air drops, cold-blooded animals such as gators and crocodiles are forced to retreat to their dens. In the fall and winter, however, they return to the open water to hibernate. During this time of hibernation, the animals are protected from the cold by a thick layer of fat, which keeps them warm.
When the weather warms up again, these animals begin to move around, searching for food and hiding from predators.
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Do Florida gators hibernate?
It becomes too cold for them to be out in the open when the temperatures drop. They protect the waterway during extreme cold by creating an alligator hole. “Gator holes› are also known as gator lairs and are a common sight along Florida’s coastlines. These holes are created by the gators as a way to stay warm during the winter months.
What temperature do alligators go dormant?
Alligators stop feeding when the ambient temperature drops below about 70° F and they become dormant below 55° F, according to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). In the wild, an alligator can live up to 30 years, but in captivity, the average life span is about 10 to 15 years.
Are alligators active in Florida in January?
Alligators are dormant throughout much of the winter season. During this time, they can be found in burrows that are adjacent to an alligator hole or open water, but they occasionally emerge to bask in the sun.
In the spring and summer, alligators emerge from their dens to feed on fish, frogs, turtles, and other aquatic invertebrates. In the fall and winter, when the water temperature is cooler and the air humidity is higher, the animals are more likely to hibernate.
Where do alligators go in Florida when it’s cold?
Alligators are not active during the winter season. During this time, they can be found in burrows (or “dens”) that they construct adjacent to an alligator hole or open water, but they occasionally emerge to bask in the sun.
In the spring and summer, alligators emerge from their dens to feed on fish, frogs, turtles, and other aquatic invertebrates. In the fall and winter, when the water temperature is cooler and the air humidity is higher, the animals are more likely to hibernate.
What part of Florida has no alligators?
The freshwater spring-fed rivers are some of the more popular areas in central florida. Bend are some of the places that may be included. (FWC) is responsible for the management of alligator and shark populations in the state of Florida. (FDACS) regulates the harvest and sale of gators and sharks.
