The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a native reptile species established in Arkansas, representing the northwestern edge of its natural range. This apex predator primarily inhabits the southern and eastern wetland ecosystems of the state. The population faced near-extinction in the mid-20th century due to habitat loss and unregulated hunting, leading to its placement on the federal endangered species list. Subsequent conservation efforts, including protection and a successful restocking program, allowed the species to fully recover.
Population Status and Estimates
Determining an exact count of alligators across Arkansas is challenging due to their secretive nature and the vast, dense habitats they occupy. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) relies on scientific sampling methods, using nocturnal spotlight surveys to measure density in alligators per mile (APM) of surveyed waterway.
The current population is stable and fully recovered, estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 individuals statewide. The species was removed from the federal endangered species list in 1987, confirming the success of conservation efforts. Recent survey data indicates a positive trend in localized populations, with pooled mean APM values reaching a high of 13.5 in 2020.
Density figures fluctuate based on environmental factors, such as flooding or drought, which can temporarily disperse the animals. The population has rebounded enough to require active management, focusing on maintaining stability and mitigating conflicts with humans.
Geographic Distribution within Arkansas
Alligators are largely confined to the southern half of Arkansas, where the warmer climate and extensive wetland habitats meet their ecological requirements. Their core distribution includes the Gulf Coastal Plain and the Delta region, offering an abundance of slow-moving water bodies. Preferred habitats include swamps, bayous, oxbow lakes, and cypress swamps.
Concentrations are particularly high in the southwestern and southeastern corners of the state. Millwood Lake and the Lower Arkansas River Wetland Complex near Tichnor support some of the densest populations. Grassy Lake near Millwood Lake has recorded a density of 91.8 alligators per mile.
The northern half of Arkansas is generally too cool to support a self-sustaining alligator population. While transient individuals may be sighted farther north, established breeding populations remain confined to the warm, low-lying river basins and wetlands of the south.
Alligator Management and Conservation
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) oversees the state’s alligator management program. Following the species’ rebound, the program transitioned from a recovery focus to a sustainable utilization model. A central component of this strategy is a highly regulated public sport hunting season, which began in 2007.
The hunting season is brief, typically consisting of two four-day periods during the last two weekends of September. Hunting is limited to three Alligator Management Zones (AMZs) in the southern portion of the state. Public land permits are awarded through a lottery draw, while private land tags can be purchased, both within a strict quota system. This quota-based harvest ensures the population remains within sustainable limits.
Regulations require harvested alligators to be at least four feet in total length, and all hunting must occur at night. Hunters must use specialized equipment, such as a hand-held snare or harpoon, to restrain the alligator before dispatching it. Furthermore, the AGFC actively tracks nuisance alligator reports, such as the 57 complaints received in 2023, and authorizes personnel to remove individuals that pose a threat to public safety.