Still, this is not Florida or Louisiana. There are no black panthers in the state of Tennessee. One of the main things to know about Alligators is that they like it warm. 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. 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. The Agency says not to panic though because the number of alligators in Tennessee is very low and they are expanding slowly so its highly unlikely youll see one anytime soon. These areas are home to some dangerous wildlife including the black bear the only species of bear found in Tennessee. TWRA has not stocked any alligators in Tennessee. Alligator populations are well established in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, with each of these states boasting several thousand alligators. Their bellies could be white or cream, and the males have longer tails. 3, 2019 at 10:21 AM PDT. 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. Alligators expanding into Tennessee is just another species that we must learn to coexist with like many of the other southern states." The agency cited evidence of the animals in the Volunteer State in its 2020-2021 hunting and trapping guide. Grizzly bears are brown bears and seeing as only black bears are known to live in this state it is safe to say that people will not encounter a grizzly here. 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. 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. Alligators are now living in the Memphis area, and state wildlife officials say more of the river reptiles are slowly moving our way. Stay calm and get medical help. Dont hesitate to enjoy the waters. All rights reserved. READ ALSO: Are There Alligators in Texas? There are not many but they are here now in south west Tn. Alligators are naturally spreading their home ranges to include some more states, such as Tennessee. If they see you and can reach you they will likely bite you. They can withstand periods of ice by sticking their snout out of the water before it freezes which allows them to continue breathing. A four-foot alligator was captured Tuesday in East Tennessee's Monroe County. Up in the Sugarland Mountain Trail or the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, mountain hikers are spoilt for choice. Several caiman crocodiles have also been spotted in east tennessee. Tennessee has state laws protecting alligator and cougar populations. The alligators in Tennessee are unaccustomed to the presence of humans and will not have started associating people with food sources. They are brown and sometimes yellow in colour with a dark tip on the tail. According to the TWRA, alligators are opportunistic feeders that prey on fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, and waterfowl. Sometimes possums, raccoons, and deer - people are not normally on their dinner menu. Watch out for the two below. As long as you are alert and respectful of the environment, you should be able to stay safe in 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. TWRA would like to remind everyone that alligators are a protected species and catching or shooting one is a violation of the law. The antlers on these animals can be four feet in height alone! They grow up to five feet, not including the tail. Armed with this guide to the most dangerous animals in Tennessee you will know what to look out for and how to stay safe. That sound is similar to the sound of a rattlesnake. Although they are among the most dangerous animals in Tennessee, being killed by a snake is not as common as many think. Alligators eat fish, turtles, snakes,. It was likely a term the Spanish explorers and settlers used when they were in Florida. Species expanding their ranges into Tennessee are protected and may not be taken until a hunting. Alligators are found in the southeastern United States, including Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. In March, a seven-foot alligator was spotted in West Tennessee's Fayette County. 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. 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. The Americanalligatorlives in slow-moving, freshwater rivers, as well as swamps, lakes, and marshes. 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). Louisiana Alligator in the water at the Audubon Zoo, Where To Watch Alligators Expanding Into Tennessee (For The First Time), What To Know About The American Alligator, The Expanding Range Of American Alligators, Alligators Popping Up In Southwest Tennessee, Yellowstone National Park's wildlife roster, Alligators are one of the top attractions in Florida's Everglades National Park, Burmese Python, which has devastated much of the wildlife of the Everglades, Visit Orlando's Gatorland - The "Alligator Capital Of The World", What To Know About Alligator Alley: One Of Florida's Best Road Trips, wolves are set to be reintroduced into Colorado, Stay For Less, Explore More: 10 Of The Best Hotels In Memphis For Budget Conscious Travelers, Experience The Finer Things In Life: 10 Luxury Hotels In Savannah That Are Sure To Impress, Fun In A University City: The Ultimate Guide To Bowling Green & Things To Do, Beaches & Views: The Ultimate Guide To Biloxi & Things To Do, Art & Adventures: The Ultimate Guide To Knoxville & Things To Do, Luxury At Its Finest: The 10 Most Expensive Hotels In New York City, Discover The Incredible Hidden Gems In Algarve, Portugal, 10 Best Tropical Destinations Around The World You Should Visit. They are tan in colour and can be up to 90cm tall and they have long bushy tails. Yes even the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has put out a warning about gators in the Hatchie National Wildlife refuge. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wrote, "Alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states. There are alligators in Tennessee, but population numbers are low, and they are likely to migrate away during harsher winters. The discoveries may leave some scratching their heads about exactly what kinds of critters they are coexisting with in Tennessee. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) When you think of Tennessee, you don't typically think of alligators, but maybe you should. Mississippi has had a healthy population of gators for years, and so its just naturalfor us to see them moving back into this area. Not long ago, a seven-foot-longalligatorwas found in the Wolf River in western Tennessee. Officials believe it was someone's pet. However, the animals didnt live for a very long time as the weather got too cold in each case. He is passionate about traveling and opening up the world for other intrepid explorers. In Obion and Humphreys County, images of the animals were captured on game cams. Female boars are often found with their young, and adolescent male boars will group together. 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.. That state is called brumation. Spiders are a big threat in Tennessee and should always be approached with care. West Tennessee AlligatorsRecently a seven-foot alligator was videoed by TWRA Region 1 personnel at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. They are greedy pigs and will eat almost anything, including nuts and berries, insects and small mammals. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. This brumation is unique because it is the complete opposite of what most crocodilians do when it gets cold. 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. 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). RELATED: Are There Alligators in Missouri? In the entire United States, the only species of black cat is the black bobcat population that has a home in the state of Florida. 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. Alligators are a protected specices, therefore caching or shooting one is against the law. Manage Settings 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, The Grinch is getting a sequel, plus other books, Everything you need to know about the Disney California, 13 stylish black tights to wear this winter, TN firing squad bill clears another hurdle, MNPS to add gun detection software to schools, Organizations create housing for foster kids, help, Open carry laws could soon be expanding in TN, Old Hickory residents worried about incoming asphalt, Fishermen impacted by Old Hickory boating accident, Rutherford Co. Schools hires assistant safety director, Parents side-swiped while waiting to pick up children, Medical cannabis bill dies in Senate committee, Man sought for running across interstate, high-speed, US warns China not to supply weapons to Russia, New owners of $1.5M burned mansion vlogging remodel, Firefighters injured while battling Franklin house, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Are there alligators in Memphis Tennessee? According to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, alligators have been sighted at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. As parts of the country get warmer, alligators are able to survive there, where before, they were not able to thrive before. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "ac6bc13cbf6b07f3462c34a85c1d4b0e" );document.getElementById("ib4c2ee2bf").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As you progress you will see alligators, turtles and HUGE fish. 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. 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. The Grinch is getting a sequel, plus other books, Everything you need to know about the Disney California, 13 stylish black tights to wear this winter, TN firing squad bill clears another hurdle, MNPS to add gun detection software to schools, Organizations create housing for foster kids, help, Open carry laws could soon be expanding in TN, Old Hickory residents worried about incoming asphalt, Fishermen impacted by Old Hickory boating accident, Rutherford Co. Schools hires assistant safety director, Parents side-swiped while waiting to pick up children, Medical cannabis bill dies in Senate committee, Man sought for running across interstate, high-speed, US warns China not to supply weapons to Russia, New owners of $1.5M burned mansion vlogging remodel, Firefighters injured while battling Franklin house, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You will find spiders in every county in the state though! Aaron is a first-hand traveler who has visited more than 80 countries around the world. Alligators are opportunistic feeders who prey on turtles, snakes, frogs, water birds, and fish. in severe cases, incredibly nasty skin lesions, before you leave check local advice, talk to mountain rangers, choose your time May, June and July see more bears roaming due to the end of hibernation and the start of breeding, do not eat or leave food out in the open bears bored of their diet of berries and insects will sniff it out. If humans encroach on their territory they could come to check them out. Are there alligators in East Tennessee? Alligators are rarely found south of the Rio Grande drainage. Still, according to wildlife experts, their continued presence is unlikely. Cougars had not been seen in Tennessee since the early 1900s until one was spotted on a Humphreys County trail camera in 2016. But do alligators live in Tennessee (a nearby state that borders Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas)? Apart from the domesticated feline which can be found everywhere. A list of dangerous animals in Tennessee may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of this great state. They're in West Tennessee and TWRA said they're not likely to migrate to East Tennessee. Spencer said that its not the only sighting either. The grizzly has a short temper and is more likely to kill a human than their slightly smaller relative. There are alligators in Tennessee, but population numbers are low, and they are likely to migrate away during harsher winters. . They can also endure periods of ice by sticking their snouts out of the water before it freezes so that they can breathe.