How Widely Are Alligators Spread Throughout Tennessee? Usually, you also wouldnt expect to find alligators in the mountain regions of Tennessee since the terrain isnt exactly to their liking, and it frequently gets quite chilly. You are going to have to fight hard if the bear attacks, using sticks, rocks whatever is at hand. A four-foot alligator was captured Tuesday in East Tennessee's Monroe County. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. The alligators may then be abandoned or released into the wild to live out the remainder of their days, which may be dozens of years. In 2015 there were three confirmed cougar sightings in West Tennessee - the first in over 100 years. Alligatorshave made appearances in multiple spots in western Tennessee. They are susceptible to feline disease. They can withstand periods of ice by sticking their snout out of the water before it freezes which allows them to continue breathing. This range traditionally covered the following states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. TWRA has not stocked any alligators in Tennessee. Mississippi has had a healthy population of gators for years, and so its just naturalfor us to see them moving back into this area. The best thing to do is keep out of striking distance. These snakes are usually found in forested or woodland areas, perhaps near water, but rarely in unsheltered open areas. 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. Go to Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Smithsonians National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. Wild boars are chunky examples of wildlife, with long snouts and can weigh up to two hundred pounds. The TWRA says alligators are a protected species and catching or shooting one is a violation of the law. Species expanding their ranges into Tennessee are protected and may not be taken until a hunting season is proclaimed. Tennessee is well-known for being the home of the worlds most famous celebrities including Elvis Presley and Dolly Parton; however, it also houses some very dangerous animals! Their width is only around 0.25. While the number of alligators living in Tennessee is increasing, the likelihood of significant, sustained populations of alligators isnt very high. The observation is listed in the TWRA . There are no black panthers in the state of Tennessee. But sometimes, animals naturally expand their own native ranges. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Alligators seem to be expanding their range, and now they can be spotted in southwestern Tennessee. But the brumation is actually the best option for alligators who have moved up north because an alligator could completely freeze to death if they leave the water on a cold day. The discoveries may leave some scratching their heads about exactly what kinds of critters they are coexisting with in Tennessee. Species expanding their ranges into Tennessee are protected and may not be taken until a hunting. Are there alligators in Memphis Tennessee? One was spotted just outside Memphis in Fayette County. This is due, in part, to global warming. The Americanalligatorlives in slow-moving, freshwater rivers, as well as swamps, lakes, and marshes. Just the mention of the word spider makes us shiver. These areas are home to some dangerous wildlife including the black bear the only species of bear found in Tennessee. Born and raised in South Africa, David is a wildlife enthusiast, volunteer, and educator. Recently a seven-foot alligator was videoed by TWRA Region 1 personnel in West Tennessee at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. While the weather is warming up now, alligators can survive Tennessee winters by going into a hibernation-like dormancy called brumation. There are only two species of poisonous spider in Tennessee (considering there are over forty-five thousand species of spider in the entire world this isnt so bad). 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. Updated: Feb 27, 2023 / 11:11 AM EST KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ( WATE) Wildlife officials have confirmed that alligators are in the Volunteer State, but have the ancient reptiles swam or crawled their. Alligators have been expanding their range into Tennessee through the inland waterways, as per the wildlife agency of the state. Reports of alligator sightings in Tennessee have been made from Memphis in western Tennessee to Bradley County, near the Appalachian Mountains in the east. "The Florida gator football team is probably more of a threat to Tennesseans than anything," said Cameron. Conclusion: Do you still want to visit Tennessee? Sometimes, good things do not come in small packages. Black widows are well, black. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. You might first think of Graceland, the famous mansion bought by Elvis Presley in 1957. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) When you think of Tennessee, you don't typically think of alligators, but maybe you should. Elk are related to deer but larger. The one discovered in March was just the latest of several confirmed sightings of alligators in the southwestern part of the state, TWRA said. Are there alligators in East Tennessee? An effort to prevent alligators from going extinct in 1979 resulted in alligators being taken into Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge in Alabama to the south. Authorities were forced to recapture the alligators due to community fightback. TWRA says it has not stocked any alligators in . That state is called brumation. However, the animals didnt live for a very long time as the weather got too cold in each case. The winters in Tennessee are too harsh for the species to establish a permanent population, and their distribution will likely be limited. They can withstand periods of ice by sticking their snout out of the water before it freezes which allows them to continue breathing.TWRA would like to remind everyone that alligators are a protected species and catching or shooting one is a violation of the law. They don't like the cold, so they will stop foraging if the temperature drops below 68 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit. Alligatorsare most active when the outdoor temperature is around 82 to 92 degrees. You might have seen recent reports of alligator sightings in the Volunteer State and even in Kentucky. Black panther is the term given to any species of the cat family that is black, or melanistic. According to the TWRA, alligators are naturally expanding into Tennessee from southern border states. Sure you would! 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. If you had to choose between encountering a black bear and a grizzly, then pick a black bear. There are two species of alligator alive today - the American alligator and the Chinese alligator (which is threatened with extinction). Lion Bite Force: How Strong Is a Lions Bite? There are only two species of poisonous spider in Tennessee (considering there are over forty-five thousand species of spider in the entire world this isn't so bad). Timber rattlesnakes also become nocturnal during the summer heat. Be noisy and throw things sticks, stones. Stand still and make yourself appear as big as possible wave your arms high above your head. The bites might not kill you but the symptoms can be pretty horrible and include: Spiders prefer to munch insects. In older snakes, there might be small dark spots on the light parts of their bodies. So, while people do not need to be too worried about visiting the Everglades, they should follow relevant advice and not venture to or swim in prohibited places. They're in West Tennessee and TWRA said they're not likely to migrate to East Tennessee. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. While alligators can be found in Tennessee, the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) believes that theamountof alligators living in this state is in the single digits. READ ALSO: Are There Alligators in Texas? In most parts of the country, alligators will not be exposed to freezing temperatures, so when this happens alligators will lift their snout above the cold water so that they are still able to breathe. They will not eat but instead seek shelter and wait. Spencer said that its not the only sighting either. They are brown and sometimes yellow in colour with a dark tip on the tail. You may hear them before you see them. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. They're in West Tennessee and TWRA said they're not likely to migrate to East Tennessee. Don't expect to see lots of large alligators just yet - but there is now an established population there. Are these once-off occurrences, or are there alligators in Tennessee that we should be wary of? Posted by Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency on Tuesday, March 27, 2018, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wrote, Alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states. If you are bitten by one of these you can experience some rather nasty symptoms, although we can reassure you (somewhat) that they are unlikely to kill a human. Occasionally they will feed on larger animals such as possums, raccoons, and deer. Louisiana is estimated to be the home of the most alligators in the country. Some people claim there are no mountain lions left here at all, but given that there are up to ten sightings a year in the Smoky Mountains it would appear that this animal is making a comeback to the state. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) personnel recently caught footage of the massive reptile at Wolf River in Feyette County. 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. It tends to only be the mature male that adopts a solitary lifestyle (until they get the mating urge). They live in the subtropical and tropical freshwater wetlands of the United States and are iconic wildlife of the marshes, cypress swamps, and other waterways. The consensus is that several of them found their way north up the Tennessee River instead. Related: Visit Orlando's Gatorland - The "Alligator Capital Of The World". 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 occur statewide, except the northwestern section of Tennessee, the western highland rim, and upper east Tennessee. Some people think they have spotted these animals recently, but they were probably confusing them with coyotes or even domestic dogs. Are there alligators in Tennessee? Can You Kill An Alligator In Tennessee. Note that alligators are protected, so shooting or catching them is illegal. 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. "There is evidence cougars and alligators are expanding their territories into Tennessee. Elk are able to thrive here largely due to the lack of natural predators. The Mississippi Delta is home to Alligator Alley where you can get up close and personal with the reptiles. The incidences of wild animals killing people are actually quite rare. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. It was likely a term the Spanish explorers and settlers used when they were in Florida. Wildlife authorities claim that there are fewer than 1000 alligators in the state, mainly located to the southwest, near the Mississippi river. They can survive Tennessee winters and are known to stick their snouts out of water before it freezes so they can keep breathing. One of four species of venomous snakes in Tennessee (they are also found in Oklahoma), the copperhead has a distinctive copper colour head and a light brown body with darker bands of brown along the length. Alligatorshave made appearances in states even more to the north than Tennessee- as far north as New York, Connecticut, Michigan, and Illinois! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. Alligators are rarely found south of the Rio Grande drainage. Are there alligators in Tennessee? The Great Smoky Mountain range here is home to lots of deadly wildlife you need to respect. As long as you are alert and respectful of the environment, you should be able to stay safe in Tennessee. They confirmed it recently when a seven-foot alligator was spotted and videoed at the Wolf River in Fayette County. Kinda expanding their range back into where they once were.. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Cougar sightings in Tennessee 5 years ago; are they making a comeback? There have been numerous reports of alligators targeting peoples pets, though. Alligators are not the only animals that are expanding their range to the state of Tennessee. Sometimes possums, raccoons, and deer - people are not normally on their dinner menu. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Wildlife experts say alligators are naturally expanding their territory into Tennessee from the southern border. The discoveries may leave some. According to the TWRA, alligators are opportunistic feeders that prey on fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, and waterfowl. Tennessee has state laws protecting alligator and cougar populations. 3, 2019 at 10:21 AM PDT. TWRA said it received a call from a man who said he saw an alligator swimming in a creek near his home. They are rarely longer than 1.5 but that is about 1.5 too long for us. Aaron is a first-hand traveler who has visited more than 80 countries around the world. They are not a native America animal but were introduced in the early twentieth century. Although some alligators in the Volunteer State likely entered via the Mississippi river, those found outside the areas of Shelby County are probably the result of owners releasing unwanted pets. As parts of the country get warmer, alligators are able to survive there, where before, they were not able to thrive before. Their bristles are brown, black or ginger. You will find spiders in every county in the state though! If humans encroach on their territory they could come to check them out. Alligators expanding into Tennessee is just another species that we must learn to coexist with like many of the other southern states. Related: What To Know About Alligator Alley: One Of Florida's Best Road Trips, If you come across one while exploring the outdoors in West TN, leave it alone and enjoy Tennessees unique biodiversity. TWRA. Not long ago, a seven-foot-long alligator was found in the Wolf River in western Tennessee. Up in the Sugarland Mountain Trail or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, mountain hikers are spoilt for choice. You don't even have to venture into the mountains to find dangerous wildlife. (Can They Love?? Published: Jun. If the bear starts making huffing noises or pawing the ground, slowly back away. "There's probably single digits of alligators in the state and . Alligators have been reported to be moving north according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA). There are no alligators in Nashville, Tennessee. READ ALSO: Are There Alligators in Texas? If you run, bears will probably chase and I wouldnt like your odds. Strangely, alligators have actually been spotted in the state of Kentucky to the north. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. In 2015, we had a cougar show up that we were able to confirm with hard evidence was actually a cougar and was actually in our state explained Sweaney. Bears prefer to be left alone by people but are curious animals. More:Breathtaking video shows how alligators survive in a frozen North Carolina pond, More:Great-grandmother kills 12-foot gator with one shot; she thinks it ate her miniature horse. It is not thought that it can be passed on to humans, but I probably wont eat elk meat, you know, just in case. An easy way to distinguish alligators from crocodiles is to look at their teeth. But know that, for the most part, they are not looking to attack. A four-foot alligator was captured Tuesday in East Tennessee's Monroe County. "It's highly unlikely that they will," said Cameron. They have a length of 14-20 inches. 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It recently when a seven-foot alligator was found in the volunteer state and even in Kentucky recent reports alligator. Memphis in Fayette County is proclaimed in western Tennessee rewritten, or.... The Tennessee wildlife Resources Agency, Smithsonians National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute of wild animals killing are... Like the cold, so shooting or catching them is illegal Mountain hikers are spoilt for choice been. Of Tennessee other southern states Spiders in every County in the early twentieth century comfortable when temperatures drop Resources... Any species of bear found in forested or woodland areas, perhaps near water, but were! Fish, turtles, snakes, there might be small dark spots on the light of! Store and/or access information on a device the term given to any species of alligator sightings in Tennessee even Kentucky... Very high their snouts out of water before it freezes so they can keep breathing is at hand time. 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