The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is native to and present in Arkansas. Alligators were nearly eradicated from Arkansas and the wider Southeast by the mid-20th century due to unregulated hunting and extensive habitat loss. Following federal protection and successful restocking efforts by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) in the 1970s, the population rebounded. Today, the species is considered fully recovered and stable within its historic range in the state.
Where Alligators Reside in Arkansas
The distribution of the American alligator in Arkansas is restricted to the warmer, low-lying regions. They are most commonly found across the southern and eastern counties, primarily in the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Delta region. These areas provide the necessary wetland habitat and warmer temperatures that these cold-blooded reptiles require for survival and reproduction. Typical alligator habitats in Arkansas include oxbow lakes, slow-moving rivers, swamps, and backwater bayous. Locations like the marshes of Millwood State Park and the wetlands near Arkansas Post National Memorial are known for having healthy alligator populations. Conversely, the mountainous regions of Northwest Arkansas, such as the Ozarks and Ouachitas, are generally too cool for the species to thrive year-round. The state’s estimated population of alligators is around 3,000 animals, reflecting a steady, managed presence in the southern half of the state.
Alligator Encounters and Safety Guidelines
Coexisting with alligators requires following safety measures, particularly when recreating in or near known habitats. A primary rule is never to feed an alligator, either intentionally or accidentally, as this causes the animal to lose its natural fear of humans and associate people with food, which often leads to nuisance behavior. State regulations explicitly prohibit baiting or enticing alligators for any reason.
When near water bodies in the southern and eastern counties, keep household pets secured on leashes and away from the water’s edge, as alligators may mistake them for natural prey. Avoid swimming or wading in natural waters during dusk, dawn, or at night, since these are the periods when alligators are most active and feeding. Maintaining a substantial distance from any alligator you encounter is important, and never approach a nest or a group of juvenile alligators, as the protective female will be nearby and defensive. If an alligator is sighted in an unusual location or poses a threat, the AGFC should be contacted to handle the situation through its nuisance alligator program.
Conservation Status and Hunting Regulations
The American alligator’s status in Arkansas is a testament to successful wildlife management, having progressed from near-extinction to a recovered species. After being protected and delisted from the federal endangered species list in 1987, the population stabilized enough to support controlled management. The AGFC regulates the species through an annual sport hunting season.
This hunting season typically takes place over two weekends in September and is managed through a permit and quota system. Hunters must apply for a limited number of permits, which are allocated to specific Alligator Management Zones in the southern half of the state. The methods for taking an alligator are strictly defined, requiring the animal to be first captured and securely restrained with a handheld snare or harpoon before a firearm is used for dispatch, and hunting is only allowed at night. This regulated framework ensures the alligator population remains healthy while allowing for controlled harvesting and providing a mechanism to manage localized population densities.