The Two Most Alligator Filled Rivers In Oklahoma
The American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is a species of Alligator native to North America, which inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands in the southeastern United States. It inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands across states such as Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and the far southeastern corner of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma’s alligator population is limited to the far southeastern corner of the state - the western edge of the American Alligator’s native range. For this reason, many people are unaware that Alligators are present in the state. The state is home to 100-200 alligators, according to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The densest populations are limited to two main rivers: the Red River and the Little River. These are the highly alligator-infested rivers in Oklahoma.
Red River
Aerial view of Red River — north of Bonham, Fannin County, northeast Texas - looking east. Wikimedia Commons.
The Red River rises in the high plains of eastern New Mexico and flows 1,290 miles southeast across Texas and Louisiana. For around half of this distance, it serves as the border between Texas and Oklahoma. American Alligators have been seen in the Red Slough Wildlife Management Area - a distributary of the Red River.
The Red Slough Wildlife Management Area sprawls 5,814 acres, comprising about 2,400 acres of wetlands, 1,600 acres of shrub and scrub habitat, 1,100 acres of bottomland hardwood reforestation, 414 acres of reservoirs, and 300 acres of woodlands. American Alligators have occasionally been seen in the Red Slough area, including ponds, oxbow lakes, and wetlands. Adult American alligators typically range from 8 to 11 feet in length, with males being larger than females. While many adults weigh between 200 and 500 pounds, huge males can exceed 1,000 pounds. In Oklahoma, the American Alligator is a protected species, and it is illegal to hunt or possess them without a proper permit.
The alligators in Red Slough form a breeding population, with numerous nests found each year. Alligator breeding season begins in April. While they ordinarily live in small groups, males may become territorial and aggressive towards each other when competing for a mate. Females construct a nest and typically lay 30-50 eggs in late June or early July. They guard the nest throughout the 60-65 day incubation period, with hatchlings emerging in late August to early September. Young alligators are black with yellow banding for camouflage, while adults transition to darker shades such as black, brown, or olive depending on their environment.
Little River
A photo of the Little River in the Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge. Wikimedia Commons.
The Little River is one of the Red River’s principal tributaries. The Little River National Wildlife Refuge is situated within the basin of the Little River. It spans 15,000 acres. It comprises a complex system of creeks, sloughs, and oxbow lakes that creates a dynamic wetland forest environment extremely rich in wildlife diversity and abundance, including small mammals such as raccoons and swamp rabbits, which are natural prey of the American Alligator. American Alligators are carnivorous, primarily living on the edges of bodies of water, spending most of their time in the water, where they hunt. However, they can often be seen on land, basking in the sun's heat.
Little River National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent spot for wildlife observation, photography, hunting, and fishing. Although alligators are a resident species of the refuge, they are often tricky to spot due to their submerged position, with their eyes and nostrils just above the water.
"High walk" of an American alligator. Wikimedia Commons.
While there have been no alligator attacks on people in Oklahoma, it is essential to exercise a few alligator safety rules: never approach or harass a wild alligator, never feed an alligator, do not disturb nesting sites, maintain at least ten feet from the edge of the water where alligators live, keep dogs on a leash, and, think twice before getting into the water to cool off.
While Oklahoma does have healthy populations of American Alligators, it pales in comparison to states like Louisiana, which is home to an estimated two million alligators due to its millions of acres of swamps and wetlands, making it the perfect home for alligators. Residents and visitors of Oklahoma should rest easy, knowing that the alligator population is limited to the far southeastern corner of the state.
