Brumation - alligators beating the cold in North Carolina

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SUMMARY

Brumation is a physiological process observed in reptiles, allowing them to survive extreme cold by entering a state of dormancy. This phenomenon is particularly noted in regions like North Carolina, where reptiles shut down their metabolic processes to endure low temperatures. Unlike hibernation in mammals, brumation can last for varying durations, with some species, such as garter snakes, capable of enduring up to seven months in cold conditions. The discussion highlights the impact of cold weather on reptiles, including iguanas in Florida, which have been reported to fall from trees due to temperature drops.

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http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article193602684.html
See the video.

Brumation is the term used for reptiles. They simply shut down and literally freeze to get past very cold weather. Generally it is for short periods, although garter snakes in parts of Southern Canada can endure 7 months of winter temperatures in shallow caves and rock crevices.
 
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I saw a segment on TV where iguanas in Florida were falling out of trees. I presume it is from the same phenomenon.
 
Fascinating. My understanding was that reptiles and amphibians living in temperate regions hibernate during the winter, so I would presume that brumation is essentially a form of hibernation among reptiles.