16 March 2018

"Brumation" illustrated


"Brumation is a term used to refer to dormancy of reptiles, which is metabolically somewhat different from mammalian hibernation.

The video above shows alligators lying dormant, not in tunnels in mud, but right in a frozen-over pond, with just their nostrils protruding above the ice.

If anyone has even the faintest doubts about the survival capabilities of this superpredator, this video should change your mind.

3 comments:

  1. brume is the french word for fog, not winter (that would be hiver, as in hibernation). brumaire was the second month of the calendar introduced after the french revolution (oct 23rd to november 21st).

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  2. Gives whole new meaning to the word "cold-blooded".

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