American Alligator Frozen in Ice as Temperatures in Texas Plunge

As an arctic blast of cold air from the north continues to spread across the U.S., a captivating video of an American alligator frozen beneath the ice has amazed viewers on social media.

Posted by @eddithanhart123 on TikTok, the video shows a sizable alligator beneath the ice at Gator Country, an adventure park and sanctuary in Beaumont, amid the cold spell in Texas.

With thousands of views, the footage depicts the massive alligator in a frozen state just below the surface of the ice, with its snout protruding above for air. The clip is accompanied by a caption: "The American alligator is absolutely magnificent!"

In another similar video on the TikTok account @gatorcountrytx, a Gator Country staff member offers insight into the reptiles' behavior during extreme cold.

"You guys wanna see something really cool?" the staff member asked. "We all know what alligators do during the summer and spring, but this is what they do during the winter and how they survive."

He explained how the reptile's entire body was beneath the frozen water, but its snout was slightly pushed above, just enough so it could breathe.

"His heart beating 3 beats per minute, folks. That's amazing. That's how alligators survive in the ice," the staff member explained.

Gator Country has over 450 American Alligators, crocodiles, many different reptiles and various mammals. It works with local and state authorities and the public to provide sanctuary in Texas for nuisance alligators.

At Gator Country, 90 percent of the animals we house have either been surrendered, rescued or given up," the park says on its website. "We provide a comfortable home and adequate care for the animals for the rest of their lives.

Alligators deal with the cold using the reptilian equivalent of mammal hibernation, called brumation.

During brumation, alligators become very lethargic, and their metabolic rate slows down. They do not fall into a deep sleep and are still aware of their surroundings, unlike mammals during hibernation.

While seeing a large reptile underneath the ice has shocked many online, brumation is a standard practice for alligators. It typically lasts for about four to five months, starting in November and ending in late February.

In hundreds of comments on the video, people shared their reactions. One commenter joked: "I think the American alligator should tell us when winter is over for now on, the groundhogs have been lying to us."

Another viewer wrote: "Didn't know he was chill like that."

Others pointed out that it was an "awesome survival tactic."

One TikToker said: "That is some serious patience skills. They were built to survive."

Newsweek has reached out to @eddithanhart123 via TikTok and Gator Country via email for comment.