According to the TWRA, alligators are naturally expanding into Tennessee from southern border states. People in the area will need to learn to live with their new-found neighbors. You might have seen recent reports of alligator sightings in the Volunteer State and even in Kentucky. "Alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states," the agency says. If you do run into one while exploring the great outdoors in Tennessee, just leave it alone. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. "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. They are greedy pigs and will eat almost anything, including nuts and berries, insects and small mammals. Alligator populations are well established in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, with each of these states boasting several thousand alligators. American alligators are typically less aggressive to people compared to other crocodile species of a similar size (Nile and saltwater crocodiles are more dangerous). Watch out for the two below. 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 are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states. Also known as cougars, pumas and panthers, did you know they are one and the same animal? Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Lillard posts 71 points, 13 3s, then gets drug test, Predators GM David Poile retiring after season, Padres player draws first pitch clock violation, Vol baseball coach Vitello suspended three games, Titans release veterans Lewan, Woods and Bullock, Peyton Hillis gives thanks for support during recovery. Their width is only around 0.25. Species expanding their ranges into Tennessee are protected and may not be taken until a hunting season is proclaimed. Younger or leaner alligators will likely perish when the mercury drops too much. RELATED: How Do Reptiles Show Affection? These snakes are usually found in forested or woodland areas, perhaps near water, but rarely in unsheltered open areas. Alligators do not live in the Tennessee mountains, yet that's exactly where one was captured, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The antlers on these animals can be four feet in height alone! Born and raised in South Africa, David is a wildlife enthusiast, volunteer, and educator. One of our own personnel saw it, they are pretty excited, and then they are like, this is pretty cool that we are getting to witness this in Tennessee,' said Amy Spencer with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). There are no alligators in Nashville, Tennessee. Wildlife experts say that in recent years, they are seeing more. Wild boars are chunky examples of wildlife, with long snouts and can weigh up to two hundred pounds. Except for federally protected and game . 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). They can withstand periods of ice by sticking their snout out of the water before it freezes which allows them to continue breathing. "The Florida gator football team is probably more of a threat to Tennesseans than anything," said Cameron. They are susceptible to feline disease. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. In March, a seven-foot alligator was spotted in West Tennessee's Fayette County. Although they are among the most dangerous animals in Tennessee, being killed by a snake is not as common as many think. TWRA has not stocked any alligators in Tennessee. Bears prefer to be left alone by people but are curious animals. Reports of alligator sightings in Tennessee have been made from Memphis in western Tennessee to Bradley County, near the Appalachian Mountains in the east. They're in West Tennessee and TWRA said they're not likely to migrate to East Tennessee. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Because thats at the top of all our must-do lists. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. He is passionate about traveling and opening up the world for other intrepid explorers. 7 Most Dangerous Animals in Tennessee: Deadliest Wildlife, Top 7 Most Dangerous Animals in Belize: Wildlife Explored, Snorkeling Sanibel Island: The 7 Best Spots for 2023. No. Komodo Dragon vs. Gila Monster: Whats The Difference. If you are approached by a bear do not run. There are two species of alligator alive today - the American alligator and the Chinese alligator (which is threatened with extinction). Alligators are opportunistic feeders who prey on turtles, snakes, frogs, water birds, and fish. They have a length of 14-20 inches. The observation is listed in the TWRA . Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has confirmed alligator sightings in Tennessee are true. In these environments, these animals rely on warm temperatures. Final Thoughts On Alligators In Tennessee, people keep their distance from alligators, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA). Rattlesnakes get their name from the distinctive rattle type sound they make. Percy Priest Lake, Nashville: "have there been any alligator sightings? In all of these states, the alligators were on the smaller side (around three to five feet long) and the authorities were unsure how these animals made it so far up north. The American Alligator is one of the few notable large North American species that visitors can not see in Yellowstone National Park's wildlife roster. TWRA says it has not stocked any alligators in . 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. Their bristles are brown, black or ginger. If this actually is on your list and the spider you are gazing at has only six eyes, then you are making eyes at a brown recluse. An easy way to distinguish alligators from crocodiles is to look at their teeth. The American Alligator was on the verge of extinction in the 1970's. The alligator was placed on the Endangered Species list and has since made a remarkable recovery. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. If the alligators are in the water when it freezes, they will stick their nose out so the ice forms around their snout, but they can keep breathing. According to TWRC the alligators will be able to survive the cold winters of Tennessee by going into a hibernation mode called brumation. The second venomous spider in Tennessee is the brown recluse. Even when the water freezes they can survive and have learned to adapt by sticking their noses out of the water so when it ices over they can breathe. Tennessee is not the only state where alligators have been spotted in! (2021 UPDATE). But do alligators live in Tennessee (a nearby state that borders Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas)? "There's probably single digits of alligators in the state and in West Tennessee, so it's highly unlikely that you'll encounter one," Matt Cameron with TWRA told Channel 5 in Nashville. There are not many but they are here now in south west Tn. Wildlife authorities claim that there are fewer than 1000 alligators in the state, mainly located to the southwest, near the Mississippi river. It is important to remember that alligators are naturally carnivorous and opportunistic and that they will instinctively go for smaller prey. Alligators are now living in the Memphis area, and state wildlife officials say more of the river reptiles are slowly moving our way. Officials believe it was someone's pet. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Wildlife experts say alligators are naturally expanding their territory into Tennessee from the southern border. 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. Alligators are hardy reptiles, but when temperatures drop below a certain . But sometimes, animals naturally expand their own native ranges. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) When you think of Tennessee, you dont typically think of alligators, but maybe you should. 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. So try not to sit on one. West Tennessee AlligatorsRecently a seven-foot alligator was videoed by TWRA Region 1 personnel at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. Receive daily updates with the best country music videos, news, and more! They grow up to five feet, not including the tail. They can be longer than a copperhead and the longest ever recorded was just over six feet! It was likely a term the Spanish explorers and settlers used when they were in Florida. Alligators are a protected species in Tennessee, and you may not catch or hunt them unless you have been issued a permit. The females are smaller, getting to 2.6 to 3 meters (8.5 to 9.8 ft). 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. Alligators have been reported to be moving north according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA). The discoveries may leave some. Colder winters will either kill off or force most alligators to migrate to more temperate climes. While not as fast as the fastest land animal the cheetah, mountain lions can run up to 50mph. 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. "Alligators migrating into Tennessee is just another species that we must learn to coexist with like many of the other southern states," the agency said. Twra doesn't have any alligators in tennessee. Authorities were forced to recapture the alligators due to community fightback. It is about 3-to 4-feet long and was spotted Tuesday evening. They can withstand periods of ice by sticking their snout out of the water before it freezes which allows them to continue breathing. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. Reach Holly Meyer at hmeyer@tennessean.com or 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer. Aaron is a first-hand traveler who has visited more than 80 countries around the world. Wildlife authorities claim that there are fewer than 1000 alligators in the state, mainly located to the southwest, near the Mississippi river. 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.. The most famous states for seeing the American Alligator are Florida and Louisiana. Related: Visit Orlando's Gatorland - The "Alligator Capital Of The World". Walking near the waters edge, you must always watch out for their nests, which look like piles of mud and vegetation, roughly three feet deep and six feet in diameter. The links on the website are in affiliation with Amazon Associates worldwide and we earn a small commission for qualifying purchases. 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. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. Are there alligators in the lakes of Tennessee? 9 Most Dangerous Animals in China: Deadly Animals Explored, Top 11 Most Dangerous Animals You May Find in Costa Rica, How to Travel Between Islands in the Maldives? Fun Facts Alligators are ectothermic they rely on external sources of heat to maintain body temperature. Dont play dead, that is a good way to get yourself killed. TWRA has not stocked any alligators in Tennessee. Perched on the roughly 500-mile-triangulated region of the mythical Mojo Triangle, Nashville, TN has long been a musical hotspot with a focus on rhythm and soul.The Mojo Triangle is a geographic destination where the harmonies of the Natchez, Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes converged with both the tempo and staccato of enslaved Africans and the lyricism and instrumentation of Europeans. Alligators first appeared around 37 million years ago. 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. All rights reserved. 2023 www.tennessean.com. The best thing to do is keep out of striking distance. Cougars used to be found in the state until the early 1900s when they became extinct in the state, but it now seems like they are making a comeback there. Alligators thrive in the southern states because it gets so warm. ). TWRA has not stocked any alligators in Tennessee. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Kinda expanding their range back into where they once were.. As you progress you will see alligators, turtles and HUGE fish. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. The mayor thinks the alligator ate one of her miniature horses several years ago. 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. Of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without for... To two hundred pounds to 9.8 ft ) because it gets so warm ; t have any alligators Tennessee. 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