The man told the agency that he had seen the reptile several times before, but he never thought it was a threat to him or his family. Are there alligators in East Tennessee? A four-foot alligator was captured Tuesday in East Tennessee's Monroe County. You might first think of Graceland, the famous mansion bought by Elvis Presley in 1957. But do alligators live in Tennessee (a nearby state that borders Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas)? While the weather is warming up now, alligators can survive Tennessee winters by going into a hibernation-like dormancy called brumation. They said we must learn to coexist with them like many others in the southern states. Alligators are expanding into Tennessee from the southern border, according to experts. (2021 UPDATE). Related: Visit Orlando's Gatorland - The "Alligator Capital Of The World". There are two species of alligator alive today - the American alligator and the Chinese alligator (which is threatened with extinction). We try to keep everything up to date, but sometimes things move fast. Watch out for the two below. This is also sometimes called icing or snorkeling.. In Obion and Humphreys County, images of the animals were captured on game cams. Given some time, alligators can build up some body mass and fat reserve to help them withstand some of the cold, but exceptionally harsh winters will take their toll on reptile populations. TWRA has not stocked any alligators in Tennessee. Alligators expanding into Tennessee is just another species that we must learn to coexist with like many of the other southern states.Alligators are opportunistic feeders that prey on fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, and waterfowl. . Alligators are found in Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas the three southern states closest to Tennessee. Recently, alligators have been seen more regularly within the Wolf and Loosahatchie rivers and can be found in McKellar Lake. Wild boars are chunky examples of wildlife, with long snouts and can weigh up to two hundred pounds. Cougars(which are native to the western parts of the United States, such as in the states Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming) are also naturally expanding their range to Tennessee. Wolves were native to the Smoky Mountains many years ago but no longer make it their home. That being said, their numbers in southwestern Tennessee are still thought to be only a few in the state. Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has confirmed alligator sightings in Tennessee are true. TWRA confirms reptile captured in Monroe County is a gator, 5 critters you might not expect in Tennessee (but are here anyway), Breathtaking video shows how alligators survive in a frozen North Carolina pond, Great-grandmother kills 12-foot gator with one shot; she thinks it ate her miniature horse, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. In their world, American alligators are apex predators. Alligators first appeared around 37 million years ago. 2nd suspect . He can be reached on Instagram at aaronspray. After being released into the Smoky Mountains the wolves either succumbed to disease or left the area in search of food. Tennessee has state laws protecting alligator and cougar populations. "Alligators expanding into Tennessee is just. Occasionally they will feed on larger animals such as possums, raccoons, and deer. Several caiman crocodiles have also been spotted in east tennessee. The alligator expansion may be being aided by the warming weather. The agency cited evidence of the animals in the Volunteer State in its 2020-2021 hunting and trapping guide. "There's probably single digits of alligators in the state and in West Tennessee, so it's highly unlikely that you'll encounter one," said Matt Cameron with TWRA. Alligators can survive Tennessee winters by going into a hibernation-like dormancy called brumation. While these animals do not cause an immediate threat, wildlife experts are keeping a close eye on their migration habits. No. Human beings are not on the menu for alligators, who prefer to eat fish, snakes, frogs, birds, turtles, and small mammals, including raccoons and deer. It is not thought that it can be passed on to humans, but I probably wont eat elk meat, you know, just in case. Alligators can survive in Tennessee by going into a hibernation-like state calledbrumation. "The Florida gator football team is probably more of a threat to Tennesseans than anything," said Cameron. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Alligators thrive in the southern states because it gets so warm. There are NO gators in Percy Priest, Old Hickory, or other surrounding Nashville lakes.Alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states. Theyve also spotted a gator on the Tennessee River in Hardin County, and on the Mississippi River in Shelby County, as the ancient creatures make their way up to our neck of the woods from the Deep South. Answer 1 of 11: Alligator or crocodile has been spotted in the Little Pigeon River. Published: Jun. While you wont find them in the Smoky Mountains or anywhere else in this state, they do appear on the list for the most dangerous animals in North America. Mississippi has had a healthy population of gators for years, and so its just naturalfor us to see them moving back into this area. They are susceptible to feline disease. Watch out for the two below. TWRA has not stocked any alligators in Tennessee. It is important to remember that alligators are naturally carnivorous and opportunistic and that they will instinctively go for smaller prey. Or maybe that it is the birthplace of Dolly Parton and country music. Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer. Uh-huh. Alligators are opportunistic feeders that prey on fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, and waterfowl. Sometimes they prey on larger animals like opossums, raccoons and deer, TWRA says. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. TWRA has not stocked any alligators in Tennessee. There is an area where you can pet sturgeon (Discovery Hall) and several tanks that kids can crawl into for a 360 degree view. Black widows are well, black. However, if you do see a gator TWRA reports alligators are a protected species and killing or capturing one is a violation of the law. Alligatorshave made appearances in states even more to the north than Tennessee- as far north as New York, Connecticut, Michigan, and Illinois! But Tennessee has a more temperate than tropical climate, so how do the alligators that have reached Tennessee survive there during the colder months? The key is to be alert and respectful of the environment and prepared for all eventualities. If you want to try and see an elk roaming around the Smoky Mountains you may spot one on elk cam here a much safer prospect. Species expanding their ranges into Tennessee are protected and may not be taken until a hunting. Alligators are now living in the Memphis area, and state wildlife officials say more of the river reptiles are slowly moving our way. While wildlife officials in Tennessee are unaware of any breeding pairs of alligators in the state, larger males and females will eventually find one another and start building nests. How Widely Are Alligators Spread Throughout Tennessee? Alligators are naturally spreading their home ranges to include some more states, such as Tennessee. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. The temperatures in the northern parts of the state preclude alligator survival, and most alligators will likely migrate away to the southwestern regions should harsher winters arrive. If you had to choose between encountering a black bear and a grizzly, then pick a black bear. Their range seems to have been expanding in places, and in the future, they might be found over the border in Mexico adjacent to Texas. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) While enjoying the great outdoors this summer, you could be joined by some unexpected critters. ). If any information is outdated, or you just have something to share, don't hesitate to contact us via email. Are there alligators in Tennessee? Alligators seldom leave their nests unattended and are fiercely protective, so stay as far away as possible, especially during nesting season in June. There were sights of american alligators, alligator gars, and water snakes in the tennessee river. If you are approached by a bear do not run. Can Alligators Live In Saltwater? On realizing the project would not be successful, the few remaining live wolves were captured and relocated in the United States. The links on the website are in affiliation with Amazon Associates worldwide and we earn a small commission for qualifying purchases. One of the main things to know about Alligators is that they like it warm. With a passion for conservation and wildlife protection, he wants to inspire more people to save the animals of today for the people of tomorrow. Are these once-off occurrences, or are there alligators in Tennessee that we should be wary of? Historical maps of the range of alligators include areas along the Mississippi River (from which alligators derive their name), including Shelby County, near Memphis, and even further north. They grow up to five feet, not including the tail. A list of dangerous animals in Tennessee may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of this great state. Dont hesitate to enjoy the waters. According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, alligators have been sighted at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. Species expanding their ranges into Tennessee are protected and may not be taken until a hunting season is proclaimed. "Alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states," the agency says. 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