Read on to learn about all the bizarre gator sightings that have occurred over the past year. The History of Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge Did you know that Alligator River is home to the largest population of black bears in eastern North Carolina and one of the largest in the eastern United States? I think,the refuge is the kind of place where you can be lucky and see animals or not and the more often you go, the better chance you have of getting lucky. A bear and three cubs crossing a corn field in the Alligator River NWR Believe it or not, there are populations of alligators as far north as North Carolina, inhabiting the southeastern corner along the coast and the Outer Banks. So, try to imagine 1,000 stings all at once. Crocodiles can be found in Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. The interest in exotic pet ownership is likely responsible. One of the reasons I loved the idea of living in the mountains of North Carolina is the presence of black bears. For an outdoor enthusiast, North Carolina is pure paradise. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (Manns Harbor) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. The refuge also protects swamp forest and is fringed with marsh. Wonderful place to visit for nature/photography lovers. Pushed to the brink of North Carolina eradication in the early 20th century, alligators have slowly made their comeback along the coast. Yes although it is not very scenic - mostly farmland bordered by woods. A bite from one of these is to be most feared during the summer, as they will take to hiding during the day in sheds, wood piles, debris and stumps. But what about elsewhere? I'd love to see some alligators and swamps. Whatever it is, tell us; we want to know! The laws vary state to state on whether it is legal to own an alligator as a pet, and what permits are required to do so, but even in states where alligators are illegal to own, like Illinois, gators have popped up and caused havoc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Most Dangerous Animals In North Carolina - OnlyInYourState In Oak Island, NC folks had to wait to check the mail because a good-sized alligator had plopped itself down right behind the residential mailboxes. You can see the alligators all over the southern states from mid-Texas all the way to North Carolina. A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by theU.S. A grand Indian tour is always on our list! When you travel around the mountains, you see black bear touristy stuff everywhere. This is to prevent the illegal trade in the hide of endangered reptiles that are similar in appearance. American Alligator - Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina A person was killed by an alligator near Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, according to police. Researched and written by our staff writer who enjoys contributing about their state for our site. Definitely! . She has worked in the field with jackals, wolves, cheetahs, & leopards. The park posted a similar video last year, which also went viral. We enjoyed it so much we may try another season. Suddenly, a fully grown bear appeared in the middle of the road and we were told to get back into our cars for safety reasons. Copperheads are found throughout the state. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. It was a large adult. The millpond also isa popular stop on a scenic drive of the region. And with that question Are there alligators in North Carolina? out of the way, its time to ask another: Yes. This area is supposed to be too far north for alligators, but they have been spotted in the millpond for several years. Black bears, red wolves (if you are very lucky), white-tailed deer, river otters, owls, nutrias, dolphinsso much! According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, "the American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas. For wildlife photographers, there are great photographic opportunities if you have patience and good equipment. The Horry County Fire Rescuewas called in but it was too late and the man was killed during the incident. When I am not writing I love going to my kids' soccer games, watching movies, taking on DIY projects and running with our giant Labradoodle "Tango". Members who are knowledgeable about this destination and volunteer their time to answer travelers' questions. Tyrrell County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina.As of the 2020 census, the population was 3,245, making it the least populous county in North Carolina.Its county seat is Columbia. About once a year you will see a news report of an alligator being removed from one of the Brunswick County beaches. Full-Day Private Tour to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, 2-hour Outer Banks Wild Horse Tour by 4WD, Grandy Tandem Hang Gliding 2000' - Outer Banks, Stand Up Paddleboard Adventure on the Outer Banks, Virginia Beach Indoor Skydiving with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate. , and was then pulled in the water and killed in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Alligators in North Carolina - Carolina Country The reptile is now living at a nature preserve in the South. RELATED VIDEO: Alligator Snaps At Man Who Grabs Its Tail For A Photo. The main attraction is the wildlife seen at dawn and dusk from spring - fall. Few People Know That North Carolina Is The Birthplace Of Miniature Golf, This Candy Store in North Carolina Was Ripped Straight From The Pages Of A Fairytale, This Historic North Carolina Ghost Town Would Be A Great Home To The Next State Park, These 20 Candid Photos Show What Life Was Like In North Carolina In the 1930s, 11 Terrifying Things In North Carolina That Can (And Just Might) Kill You, The Deadly History Of This North Carolina Place Is Terrifying But True, 15 Risks And Fears Associated With Living In North Carolina, North Carolinas Graveyard Of The Atlantic Strikes Again, These Photos Are Proof, invasive species of spider in North Carolina. The alligator population is estimated to be 2 million here which makes it the largest population of American Alligators in the world. There are vast fields of vegetation and that's where we saw them. A cool covey of quail (15), also known as Northern bobwhite are shown here on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Another large alligator found in North Carolina was a 12-foot long alligator found in Jacksonville, NC in July 2013. This is the eighth of 12 Things You Should Know about Alligators . Get more stories delivered right to your email. Gators Are Making Return to Old Swamping Grounds the Reptiles Are Back I also got to see a number of the larger bears again so I was quite happy. Where can you see alligators in SC? Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Have some feedback for us? Adult alligators are usually solitary, but often congregate together, especially in the breeding season. At times, there were 2 ways we could go so we just picked one. These tendrils average around 30 feet, but can reach to 175 feet! Witnesses watched as the man was standing next to a pond when the alligator suddenly grabbed him and dragged him to a nearby pond. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. But watch out for big eyes in the water, because Merchants Millpond is the northernmost home of the American alligator.The park contains one of the state's rarest . Unlike many animals, alligators do not show signs of biological aging, but simply grow in size over the years. An enormous 11-foot alligator terrorized a North Carolina family as it took up residence in their pond. They are easily identified by their eye pattern, six eyes in three pairs, and a marking that resembles a fiddle or violin on the top of the spider. A person has died following an alligator attack near Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, according to Horry County Deputy Coroner Michelle McSpadden.https://t.co/oJWF8Z1pVE. Spotting an alligator as it goes about its daily "business" of sunning, napping, and cruising is always exciting; but, KEEP YOUR DISTANCE! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Black bears are a tad bit friendlier than say, a brown bear, but they still should not be 'messed' with. Chinese alligators live in eastern China, and they are confined to a small area in the Yangtze River basin near the Pacific Ocean. How Many Alligators Live in North Carolina? - AZ Animals Females and juveniles occasionally use seasonal wetlands, such as Carolina Bays. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Our destination is the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. The Alligator River NWR is the OBX's best kept secret. Due to its size and proximity to humans they did not want to relocate. The refuge was on our to do list when we were on the Outer Banks in hopes we would see some different varieties of wild life. I myself oversee jungle safaris in India and I know that there is no better sight than seeing wildnerness in full majesty like this. Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge - Tripadvisor An estimated 5 million wild American alligators are spread out across 10 states in Southeast and beyond, including parts of North Carolina and even the extreme southeastern tip of Oklahoma.. You aren't likely to see many crocodiles in 48 of the states, but if you are lucky enough to be vacationing in a sunny southeastern locale, you may indeed catch a glimpse of Crocodylus acutus. In 2008, a 6-foot American crocodile made a rare appearance outside Florida -- at South Carolina's Isle of Palms, a common spot for vacationing . As temperatures dipped along the U.S. East Coast, alligators at a sanctuary park in North Carolina figured out a cute way to survive in their icy homes: They poked their noses out of the water as . I love seeing bears around here. Most shark species that inhabit the Atlantic Ocean will, at some point, swim past the North Carolina coast, usually when waters are a bit warm. Each year, millions of tourists flock to the mountains of North Carolina to take in the breathtaking sights. Unfortunately, this alligator wasnt caught by a hunting party, it had to be put down because it ate a womans dog. We've even seen gators there in the middle of winter. There were four fully grown bears one of them had three tiny cubs with her. October 2018 in Waukegan, Illinois: A kayaker enjoying Lake Michigan, discovered a real 4-ft. gator with its mouth taped shut when they paddled over to investigate what they thought was a gator-shaped pool float. Over the past year, strange alligator sightings have occurred all over the United States. One such place is Aloha Safari Zoo in Cameron. Can anyone recommend an amazing seafood restaurant. This massive gator weighed 500 pounds! All rights reserved. But, just how many alligators live in North Carolina? The majority of alligator attacks are caused by people attempting to capture, pick up or feed the alligators. Beautiful place. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Watch This Florida Woman Feed an Alligator, Are There Any Lakes with Alligators Near, Huge Florida Gator Eats a Smaller Florida, The Biggest Alligator Ever Found In Louisiana, The 10 Best Childrens Books About Alligators Reviewed and Ranked, Watch a Jaguar Sneak Attack an Alligator by Pretending to Be an Alligator, Discover the One Place on Earth that Crocodiles and Alligators Coexist. Whats the Biggest Alligator Ever Found in the Mississippi River? fresh, but with higher salinity) water you might see an alligator. We will be travelling from (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Authorities were able to remove the alligator from the pool and take it away. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We checked there were none creeping up behind us and started taking photos and video. Are There Alligators in North Carolina? - Stuck on the Go We went in April and just kept driving the Roads and eventually saw 6 black bears, 2 coyotes, and 2 ottersbut all our sightings were at dawn or dusk. Cottonmouths are found primarily in the eastern region of the state - in swamps, lakes, rivers, and bodies of water. July 2019 in Chicago, Illinois: Dubbed Chance the Snapper by locals, a 5-ft. gator caused a stir in Chicago when it was spotted in a lagoon inside the citys Humboldt Park. You can find black bears in the mountain region of western North Carolina and the coastal swamplands of the eastern part of the state. You are more likely to get struck by lightning, or win a lottery, than you are to be attacked by alligator. We would love to see tigers and all the magnificent Indian wildlife. Although they are primarily freshwater animals, alligators will also venture into brackish salt water. Quiet trails to hike with or without wildlife sightings! Residents on South Carolina's Hilton Head Island are used to living with alligators. No reservations are necessary and the program is free. We also saw a family of Killdeer in a furrow in the field next to the road. PDF The Georgia Department of Natural Resources To be honest we didnt go on the first part of the tour, the talk with the group. For more outdoor fun in North Carolina, check out these 11 Epic Outdoorsy Things Anyone In North Carolina Can Do. If you need to report an instance of someone poaching, harming, harassing or intentionally feeding alligators, call the Wildlife Commissions Enforcement hotline at 1-800-662-7137. Black bears have been known to stumble upon. In addition to North Carolina, alligators are found in 9 other states in the United States. We drove a short distance and soon noticed a few dark lumps up ahead. The woman was out walking with her dog by the Brooks Gruber Bridge when she says the alligator snatched her poor dog.