American Alligators on the Move | Little Rock News

American alligators are making bold moves northward, now spotted in western Tennessee and thriving in Arkansas after a dramatic habitat loss that wiped out 70% of their former range. These heavyweight predators—males can grow up to 15 feet and weigh nearly a ton—possess a four-chambered heart like humans and birds, and live for decades in the wild. Reintroduced in the 70s and 80s, they’re now common in state parks and even popping up near suburban areas. Arkansas officially opened alligator hunting in 2007, with bowfishing allowed on private land this year; 2025 saw a record 205 harvested, helping manage populations and reduce nuisance encounters. As apex predators and ecosystem engineers, they create vital “alligator holes” that sustain countless species—making them far more than just scary swamp dwellers. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/1306378465f7a0be