One was spotted just outside Memphis in Fayette County. Occasionally they will feed on larger animals such as possums, raccoons, and deer. Wildlife experts say that in recent years, they are seeing more. During the summer they tend to only be active during the night, but for the rest of the year they are active during the day. The incidences of wild animals killing people are actually quite rare. They're in West Tennessee and TWRA said they're not likely to migrate to East Tennessee. This brumation is unique because it is the complete opposite of what most crocodilians do when it gets cold. In 2015 there were three confirmed cougar sightings in West Tennessee - the first in over 100 years. They occur statewide, except the northwestern section of Tennessee, the western highland rim, and upper east Tennessee. 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 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) believes that alligators will likely become a common sight in the state, and people will have to learn to coexist with them in harmony. There are two species of alligator alive today - the American alligator and the Chinese alligator (which is threatened with extinction). A four-foot alligator was captured Tuesday in East Tennessee's Monroe County. This disease is nasty, it attacks the brain of the animal. Alligators are one of the top attractions in Florida's Everglades National Park (another notable resident is the elusive and rare Florida panther). Yes even the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency has put out a warning about gators in the Hatchie National Wildlife refuge. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) While enjoying the great outdoors this summer, you could be joined by some unexpected critters. That being said, their numbers in southwestern Tennessee are still thought to be only a few in the state. You might have seen recent reports of alligator sightings in the Volunteer State and even in Kentucky. Or maybe that it is the birthplace of Dolly Parton and country music. They are greedy pigs and will eat almost anything, including nuts and berries, insects and small mammals. 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Armed with this guide to the most dangerous animals in Tennessee you will know what to look out for and how to stay safe. One measured seven feet in length. Are There Alligators In Nashville Tennessee. breathing restrictions with, in severe cases, arrested breathing, feelings of numbness in parts of the body. There is also the 155,000-square-foot Knoxville Office Building (KOB), built in 2010, and an approximate 11-acre vacant lot on the property. Alligators first appeared around 37 million years ago. As parts of the country get warmer, alligators are able to survive there, where before, they were not able to thrive before. These snakes dont mess about. Alligators prefer to do much of their hunting during the night and are also more active during the transitional periods between day and night. 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. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. They can survive Tennessee winters and are known to stick their snouts out of water before it freezes so they can keep breathing. Mississippi has had a healthy population of gators for years, and so its just naturalfor us to see them moving back into this area. Still, this is not Florida or Louisiana. The mayor thinks the alligator ate one of her miniature horses several years ago. Female boars are often found with their young, and adolescent male boars will group together. Alligators can survive in Tennessee by going into a hibernation-like state calledbrumation. However, the animals didnt live for a very long time as the weather got too cold in each case. Not long ago, a seven-foot-long alligator was found in the Wolf River in western Tennessee. You don't even have to venture into the mountains to find dangerous wildlife. Alligators and cougars are protected by state laws in Tennessee.. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The alligators in Tennessee are unaccustomed to the presence of humans and will not have started associating people with food sources. Conclusion: Do you still want to visit Tennessee? Stay calm and get medical help. Elk are related to deer but larger. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. 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. Born and raised in South Africa, David is a wildlife enthusiast, volunteer, and educator. 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. A pair of black tights are a necessity, rather than just an accessory, to stay stylish and comfortable when temperatures drop. Alligatorshave made appearances in states even more to the north than Tennessee- as far north as New York, Connecticut, Michigan, and Illinois! According to TWRA, alligators normally live in states further south, but are naturally migrating into Tennessee. 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. Alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states. RELATED: Can Alligators Live In Saltwater? You can recognize this by the shape of a violin on the body (what is it with spiders and body art?). There have been numerous reports of alligators targeting peoples pets, though. ). Alligators do not live in the Tennessee mountains, yet that's exactly where one was captured, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. While many species around the world are in danger of going extinct and are seeing their natural ranges collapse, others are being reintroduced to areas they once roamed (like how wolves are set to be reintroduced into Colorado). Find out more, Alligators Do Live In Tennessee, But Only Periodically. Dont hesitate to enjoy the waters. This latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings of alligators in Southwest Tennessee. The Americanalligatorlives in slow-moving, freshwater rivers, as well as swamps, lakes, and marshes. After being released into the Smoky Mountains the wolves either succumbed to disease or left the area in search of food. Theres nothing to be concerned about. 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. 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? So why are alligators starting to appear in Tennessee? Officials believe it was someone's pet. 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. But how did alligators arrive in the state, and what should you do if you encounter one? On Sunday, a Texas mayor shot and killed a 12-foot, 580-pound alligator on her ranch in Goodrich, Texas, according to USA TODAY. The one discovered in March was just the latest of several confirmed sightings of alligators in the southwestern part of the state, TWRA said. 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