From the southern border states, Alligators are expanding their range into Tennessee. Alligator sightings are rare in Tennessee, but they do occur in other parts of the country.
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Do Tennessee lakes have alligators?
The alligator was found in the Wolf River in western Tennessee. Alligators can be found all over Tennessee, but they are not very common. If you see one, don’t try to fight it. It’s not worth the risk. Instead, call the Tennessee Department of Natural Resources at 1-800-TENNESSEE-DNR or visit their website for more information.
Are there alligators in the Appalachian Mountains?
The barrier to alligators moving northward from their native range in the Gulf of Mexico is located in the Appalachian Mountains. Alligators are not native to the Smokies, but they have been introduced into the park since the early 1900s.
In the late 1800s, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) began a program to control alligator populations in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This program, known as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Alligator Control Program, was designed to reduce the population of the invasive species in these areas.
TVA’s goal was to prevent the spread of disease to native species, such as gators, in order to protect the environment and human health.
However, some areas are still infested with large numbers of large, venomous snakes, including the eastern diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus), which can reach a length of up to 12 feet (3.5 meters) and weigh as much as 500 pounds (227 kilograms).
Does Tennessee have crocodiles?
Several caiman crocodiles have also been spotted in east tennessee. They look like small gators and are likely pets that have been released into the wild.
Do alligators live in the Smoky Mountains?
According to the u.s. fish and wildlife service, alligators do not live in the tennessee mountains. The gator was found in a wooded area of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Georgia, the agency said.
Are Black Panthers in Tennessee?
In the entire United States, the only species of black cat is the black bobcat population that has a population of about 1,000. Black cats are not native to Tennessee, but they were introduced to the area by European settlers. The first black cats were brought to Nashville in 1857, and the population grew rapidly.
Why can’t you eat fish out of the Tennessee River?
The advisories warn of elevated levels of mercury and/or polychlorinated biphenyls in fish tissues. The specific fish species included in each advisory should not be eaten by pregnant women, nursing mothers and children. The advisory was issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Air and Radiation.
