Alligator Facts Ahead of 2026 Hunting Season

With the 2026 alligator season on the horizon, wildlife officials are sharing interesting facts about the reptiles. Alligators have more than 100 bones connected by skin on their backs, called osteoderms, which act like solar panels to help regulate body temperature while basking in the sun, according to sources.

Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles that enter dormancy during fall and winter in Mississippi, typically from mid-October to mid-March. When air and water temperatures drop below 70 degrees Fahrenheit, they cannot digest their prey, leading them to become less active during colder months, officials said.

During extreme winter conditions, alligators may be seen in shallow water with only their nostrils above the surface of frozen swamps or lakes for several days. However, prolonged exposure to cold can cause a pneumonia-like illness that may be fatal in the following spring, experts added.

Authorities remind hunters that harvest reporting is mandatory and can be completed online at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks website.

Source: Original Article