4 Most Alligator-Filled Swamps In North Carolina
The American Alligator is native to North Carolina, which is the northern extent of its natural range. At that, they occur less frequently as you move from south to north up the North Carolina coast. This is because the colder weather farther up north inhibits the Alligator’s ability to grow, reproduce, and generally survive. As a result, Alligators in North Carolina are limited to the southeast of the state, specifically coastal regions. They flourish in rivers, canals, tidal basins, ponds, lakes, and swamps. These are the 4 most alligator-filled swamps in North Carolina.
Great Dismal Swamp
The Great Dismal Swamp protects some of the most important wildlife habitats in the mid-Atlantic region. Although it already comprises 113,000 acres, it was once part of a large swamp that once spanned over one million acres. Today, it occupies land in Virginia and North Carolina. The swamp is 37 miles long north to south and is dense with cypress, black gum, juniper, and water ash.
The Great Dismal Swamp supports a lot of species of reptiles, including American Alligators, which are recorded to live there. As a coastal plain, it is exactly the type of environment American Alligators in North Carolina frequent. Although they do not have the same salt-secreting glands as the closely related crocodiles, they have been known to venture out into the ocean on rare occasions.
Green Swamp
Green Swamp is a preserve of 15,655 acres; however, most of it is dense evergreen shrub. It is one of the country’s prime examples of a healthy longleaf pine savannah. The terrain within the preserve is uneven with dirt, grasses, inundated water, and exposed roots. The highlight of the swamp is an array of orchids and insectivorous plants; however, it is home to many rare animals, including the American Alligator.
Due to living in the northern extremity of their range, American Alligators experience copious amounts of stress and usually survive better in areas with limited or restricted human activity. Despite living in areas like this and state protection from hunting, American Alligators have still not managed to recover their populations in North Carolina. Additionally, American Alligators in North Carolina grow smaller as the temperatures are cooler and the feeding season is shorter.
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1984 with the intent of protecting rare pocosin wetlands and the wildlife that lives there. It is located on the Albemarle Peninsula in eastern North Carolina and includes over 154,000 acres of wildlife habitat. These wetlands grow a thick layer of peat with stunted shrubbery. Swamp forests and marshes are protected within this refuge, and, as its name suggests, it is home to American Alligators. Within the refuge, visitors will have access to hiking trails, observation decks, and water access for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking.
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge covers an area of 110,106 acres and protects a rare type of wetland known as “Pocosin,” which is a Native American term that translates into “Swamp on a hill,” which can be attributed to upland pine forests within the refuge. These wetlands are unique to the southeast and are characterized by deep peat soils and a thick layer of evergreen shrubbery. There are 40 species of reptiles that live in the refuge, including the American Alligator. Alligators’ shy and elusive demeanor is well-suited to the refuge’s large size and dense vegetation, which allows them to easily hide and remain undisturbed from humans.
North Carolina's Elusive Alligators
Although American Alligators exist in North Carolina, they are heavily restricted to the southeast extremity of the state, meaning they are rarely encountered. Even more reassuring is that American Alligators are naturally shy and secretive animals that are wary of humans. This has resulted in humans and alligators successfully cohabitating in North Carolina’s coastal habitats. It is important, however, not to feed alligators or leave fishing scraps nearby that may attract them, and not to harass or provoke wild alligators. Instead, leave them be, and they will move along on their own accord.
