They say that alligators survived the ice age, and that may be true. Although they cannot withstand extreme cold temperatures. They likely did not reside in the most northern climates but could have survived in the southern regions. Alligators don’t hibernate as many mammals do but can go into a period of dormancy known as a modified form of brumation. Such was the case in North Carolina recently when a park ranger noticed a frozen alligator.
Lovingly called “gatorcicles,” the frozen alligators appeared when temperatures dropped down into the teens. The swamps where the rescued critters reside are not very deep, so they are subject to freezing when outside temperatures drop and remain low. The Shallotte River Swamp Park in Ocean Isle Beach, NC, posted a video chronicling the event.
The park is open year-round and hosts family activities, including zip lines and guided ATV and swamp boat tours. You can enjoy the live Gator cam on YouTube. In addition to hosting family activities, the park is also an alligator sanctuary