Gators as a species have existed for hundreds of millions of years, predating even some of the stars in the sky. They should be alright.
Comment on It’s the right thing to do
Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world 14 hours ago
I’m unironically curious if a bunch of them are going to die after the snow in Florida
recklessengagement@lemmy.world 13 hours ago
Nurse_Robot@lemmy.world 10 hours ago
Yeah, I wasn’t too worried about the species as a whole lol. Moreso curious if there are enough warm spaces for the local population experiencing crazy weather in Florida, I don’t have a great understanding of cold blooded animals
bruhduh@lemmy.world 13 hours ago
These pals outlived actual dinosaurs, they’re gonna be mostly fine, their species will definitely survive, no doubt
ryathal@sh.itjust.works 13 hours ago
They can probably manage just fine for a day or two of cold. It takes a long time for the ground and water to change temperatures.
NekoRogue@slrpnk.net 10 hours ago
Floridian here currently looking at snow outside my window right now. The snow didn’t get far enough south to affect these guys. I’ve never seen one here on the Gulf Coast. The iguanas are mostly down south near Miami.
Death_Equity@lemmy.world 14 hours ago
There has been similar events in the past, the weaker ones die and the survivors make the species stronger.
Reptiles can enter “brumation” with cold temps, which is like a hibernation. They may still move around and drink, but their metabolism is slowed down significantly.
cyborganism@lemmy.ca 13 hours ago
Don’t they usually fall asleep underwater with only their snout sticking out of the ice?
HulkSmashBurgers@reddthat.com 11 hours ago
Perfect time to boop the 'gator snout.
pancakes@sh.itjust.works 4 hours ago
Never have I ever seen a snoot that doesn’t get booped
Death_Equity@lemmy.world 10 hours ago
That does happen but I don’t believe they are intentionally doing that. I think they just slow down and keep their nose out the water to breathe and the water freezes around them or they break through the ice to breathe and the water refreezes.
cyborganism@lemmy.ca 6 hours ago
Well yeah. They fall asleep like that as the temperatures drop. Then the ice forms around their snout.