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TWRA spots 7-foot alligator in West Tennessee

"Alligators migrating into Tennessee is just another species that we must learn to coexist with like many of the other southern states," TWRA said.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources has captured video of a seven-foot alligator seen at the Wolf River WMA in Fayette County.

The latest sighting is one of several confirmed sightings alligators in Southwest Tennessee, according to TWRA.

"Alligators migrating into Tennessee is just another species that we must learn to coexist with like many of the other southern states," TWRA said.

According to TWRA, alligators prey on fish, turtles, snakes, frogs, and waterfowl. Occasionally, they will feed on larger animals such as possums, raccoons, and deer.

They are a protected species, so cannot be hunted or trapped in Tennessee.

Alligators can survive Tennessee winters by going into a hibernation-like dormancy called brumation.

RELATED | Chinese gators return to Zoo Knoxville habitat after brumation

"They can withstand periods of ice by sticking their snout out of the water before it freezes which allows them to continue breathing," TWRA said.

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