Turtle Hibernating in Frozen Lake Intrigues Internet: ‘What the Heck?’ [Video]

A video of two snapping turtles seemingly frozen in place beneath the surface of a frozen lake has captivated viewers on TikTok.

The clip posted by @livingforrural has received 2.7 million views since its posting on Monday, generating widespread intrigue about the remarkable survival strategies of these ancient reptiles.

The footage begins with a person standing on the lake’s icy surface, pointing out one turtle beneath the transparent sheet of frozen water. Taking a few steps further, the person highlights another turtle in a similar state, suspended motionlessly beneath the ice.

The caption accompanying the post reads: “Had no idea snapping turtles hibernated like this. Had to do some research on their brumation process.”

What Is Brumation?

Brumation, the term for a reptile’s dormant state during cold months, is a natural survival mechanism for many species, including snapping turtles. Unlike true hibernation, which is seen in warm-blooded animals, brumation allows reptiles to significantly …