The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a native and successfully re-established species in Arkansas. This large reptile is concentrated in the southern and eastern portions of the state, where warm, expansive wetlands provide favorable habitat. Their thriving population is a testament to decades of rigorous conservation efforts following a period of near-extinction. The alligator is a natural component of Arkansas’s aquatic ecosystems, requiring management and public awareness to ensure safe coexistence.
Current Geographic Range in Arkansas
The distribution of alligators in Arkansas is primarily confined to the southern half of the state, characterized by the low-lying Gulf Coastal Plain and Delta regions. These areas contain the swampy, marshy habitats preferred by the species for feeding and constructing dens for winter survival. The northern limit of their range is controlled by prolonged periods of freezing weather, which the reptiles cannot easily withstand.
Concentrations of alligators are found along major water systems, including the Red River and the extensive network of the Arkansas River’s backwaters. Significant populations exist in oxbow lakes, bayous, and large reservoirs. Millwood Lake in the southwest and the wetlands near Arkansas Post National Memorial in the southeast support some of the highest densities recorded in the state.
History of Alligator Conservation
The American Alligator population suffered a severe decline between the 1860s and 1960s, driven by unregulated hunting and the drainage of large wetland areas. By the early 1960s, remaining native alligators were confined almost exclusively to the southwestern corner of the state. Recognizing this precarious status, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) enacted protective regulations in 1961.
Federal protection followed, listing the alligator as an endangered species in 1967. The AGFC initiated a substantial reintroduction program, relocating approximately 2,800 wild-caught alligators from Louisiana into Arkansas wetlands between 1972 and 1984. These successful management actions led the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to downlist the species to threatened status in 1977 and fully delist it to recovered status in 1987. The American Alligator is now considered a conservation success story.
Living Safely Alongside Alligators
Coexisting with the alligator population requires residents and visitors to adopt specific safety precautions, especially in southern waterways. The most important rule is never to feed alligators, as this causes them to lose their natural wariness of humans and associate people with a food source. Feeding or harassing alligators is illegal and can lead to the reptile becoming a nuisance that must be removed.
When near water known to harbor alligators, keep pets on a leash and away from the shoreline. Alligators are opportunistic predators, and small pets can resemble their natural prey. People should maintain a safe distance, generally 50 to 60 feet, from any alligator they encounter. If an alligator approaches, back away slowly and give it an obvious escape route, as cornering the animal can provoke a defensive reaction.
Arkansas Alligator Hunting Regulations
The healthy alligator population is managed through a highly regulated, permit-based hunting season overseen by the AGFC. This limited harvest helps maintain population balance and address public concerns in areas of high density. Hunting is restricted to designated Alligator Management Zones in the southern part of the state and typically takes place over two weekends in September.
Prospective hunters must obtain a special permit. Public land permits are awarded through a random draw, while private land tags are available for purchase within specific quotas. Each permit authorizes the harvest of a single alligator that must be at least four feet in length. The AGFC implements a quota system for certain public areas, requiring hunters to check a hotline to ensure the zone’s harvest limit has not been met before hunting.