photo by TWRA
A four-foot alligator was trapped by agents with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in the Whites Creek area of Rhea County, according to Mime Barnes, an agency spokesperson.
Two TWRA officers Hunter Poore and Colt Elrod captured the reptile in the northern part of Rhea County near the Roane County line.
The gator was taken to the Chattanooga Zoo.
Officials say that alligators are not native to this part of Tennessee and ask that residents not dump unwanted animals. Currently, alligators are found in Shelby and Hardin Counties in West Tennessee.
TWRA says alligators are naturally expanding their range into Tennessee from the southern border states and can survive Tennessee winters by going into a hibernation called brumation, withstanding periods of ice by sticking their snout out of water before it freezes to continue breathing, according to TWRA.
As opportunistic feeders, alligators prey on fish, turtles, snakes, frogs and waterfowl and will occasionally feed on opossums, raccoons and deer. TWRA would like to remind everyone that alligators are a protected species and catching or shooting one is a violation of the law. If you come across one while exploring the outdoors leave it alone and enjoy Tennessee’s unique biodiversity and notify the TWRA of its location.
The TWRA reminds residents not to dump unwanted animals. More information on alligators can be found on the TWRA's website at www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/reptiles/alligators.html.
photo by TWRA