RESULTS

Seasonal, weekly, daily, and within-day components of body temperature of a typical alligator from WCA 3A North. [larger image]

A comparison of seasonally smoothed body temperatures for 10 alligators from WCA 3A North. Body temperatures were recorded simultaneously at 72 minute intervals. [larger image]

The typical pattern of body temperature of an alligator from WCA 3A North for 1 year (1997-1998). Due to a large amount of data (20 intervals/day), the above smoothing is necessary for analysis. [larger image]

CONCLUSIONS

• Spring is metabolically the most important season for alligator populations in the Everglades due to breeding cycles and feeding on concentrated food supplies during the dry season.
• Due to consistently high temperatures and decreased food supplies, summer is metabolically expensive.
• In fall alligator body temperatures decline with decreasing ambient temperature.
• Winter reduces body temperature to levels that inhibit activity, but do not allow efficient hibernation.
• Canals provided a thermal refuge for alligators.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research was supported in significant part by DOI's Critical Ecosystem Studies Initiative, a special funding initiative for Everglades restoration administered by the National Park Service; and in part by USGS's Florida Caribbean Science Center.

Among numerous individuals, the following were instrumental to this project: M. Anderson, S. Bass, L. Brandt, M. Cherkiss, M. Chopp, B. Fesler, T. Foster, P. George, D. Gross, T. Gross, L. Hord, D. Hughes, M. Jennings, F. Mazzotti, B. McNab, C. Morea, S. Shrestha, S. Snow, C. Tucker, C. Weiser, C.Westall, and A. Woodward.

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Related information:

SOFIA Project: American Alligator Distribution, Thermoregulation, and Biotic Potential Relative to Hydroperiod in the Everglades (a submodel within the ATLSS Project)

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