PHOTOS: Naples Zoo alligators show how to beat the cold

Alligators at the Naples Zoo in Florida are demonstrating how they adapt to colder temperatures by using their environment for warmth.

As cold-blooded animals, alligators rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature, slowing down when it gets too cold.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said, "Alligators are most active when temperatures are between 82° to 92° F (28° to 33° C). They stop feeding when the ambient temperature drops below approximately 70° F (21° C) and they become dormant below 55° F (13° C)."

The Naples Zoo shared photos on Facebook showing how alligators cope with the cold.

Some gators bury themselves in the muddy shallows, while others bask in the morning sun to warm up. The zoo said mud and water retain heat better than cold air, and basking in warm sunlight helps them warm up as temperatures rise.

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