Are There Alligators in the Outer Banks?

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When it comes to the Outer Banks, there are certain conceptions about the presence of alligators that must be addressed.

People see the Alligator River and assume that this location must be a hotbed for these reptiles.

While this river has not acquired this name due to its inhabitants, this location is still home to American alligators.

Sightings tend to be rare in the Outer Banks but they are not infrequent.

These animals are reticent to approach humans and they love spending time in the water.

They are also big fans of sunbathing!

Let’s take a closer look at their presence in the region, so you can learn everything you need to know.

So… Are There Alligators In The Outer Banks?

Yes, alligators can be found here but they are not known for bothering humans.

These reptiles like to keep to themselves.

It is not likely for someone who resides in a rental neighborhood to see one during their daily travels.

In fact, alligators are most commonly found in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

Outer Banks residents and visitors are not going to encounter them on a very frequent basis, if at all.

This 12,000-acre preserve provides them with a pristine location, as well as many other forms of wildlife.

The alligators can be found in the Outer Banks but you will have to go out of your way to run into one yourself.

They should not pose a danger as long as you are not looking to actively pursue them in their natural habitat.

Alligator Species In The Outer Banks

The American alligator is the sole species that can be found within the Outer Banks region.

It is hard to see alligators in this area but they are present.

The Dare County mainland is a more common location for these reptiles, in addition to the aforementioned Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge.

The wildlife refuge is located towards the northern end of the alligators’ range.

However, there have been reports of an alligator presence at the Great Dismal Swamp.

The alligators who reside at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge are not going to grow as quickly as those that are located further south, although they are still quite large.

There are not too many alligator sightings on the Outer Banks and it is believed that any alligators that are seen there have made their way across Albemarle Sound.

Is It Safe To Swim In The Outer Banks?

As long as there are no warning signs or local advisories in place, you can swim in the Outer Banks.

That does not mean that there are no other safety precautions that need to be discussed.

Alligators are not looking for humans when they are going about their daily business.

They will only attack if they feel as if they are being provoked or threatened by humans who are not willing to leave them alone.

This is an important aspect to keep in mind.

Pet owners should remain mindful because alligators will often perceive dogs as a threat.

An alligator may believe that the dog is going to attack their young and in these cases, they could strike first.

That’s why it is not advised to have pets roaming the Outer Banks.

If you are out on the water, you will need to keep your eyes peeled.

Alligator sightings are fairly rare in the region but that does not mean that they never happen.

If you happen to see an alligator on the Outer Banks during a swimming, fishing, or boating trip, please do not make the mistake of attempting to interact with it.

Do not feed the alligator either.

This may seem like an innocent idea at the moment but things can turn deadly at a moment’s notice.

Interesting Alligator Facts About the Outer Banks

Even though alligator sightings are less common in this location, there are a number of urban legends about these animals (and others) that have taken root in North Carolina.

Some of them may already be familiar to those who reside in the area but many of these tales are new to visitors.

Let’s take a closer look at some of these amazing myths!

Cape Fear River’s Mermaids

This legend has been passed down ever since the 1700s.

This myth first began when Revolutionary War soldiers claimed to see these mermaids washing their hair in the moonlight.

These mermaids are said to have made their way to the region by way of the Atlantic Ocean.

The sandbar where these mermaids were first seen has since been renamed Mermaid’s Point.

Of course, skeptics are going to point out some obvious issues with these tales.

The soldiers were under a great deal of stress, as this was a key moment in American history.

It is also more than likely that these soldiers were under the influence of these mermaid sightings.

The soldiers who saw these mermaids were regular patrons of Ramsey’s Tavern and Mill.

In 1781, the tavern was seized by the British.

From there, a series of battles played out in the region.

After the tavern was seized, the mermaid sightings significantly decreased.

Mermaid’s Point is now underwater due to flooding, which also contributes to the decrease.

Uwharrie National Forest’s Bigfoot

Every region has its own Bigfoot sightings and North Carolina is no different in this regard.

This forest provides Bigfoot with 50,000 acres to hide in and according to the locals, he is taking full advantage.

Troy is the nearest town and they are more than happy to play up this connection to tourists who head to the region.

Hikers and locals claim to hear all sorts of sounds coming from the forest that are likely related to Bigfoot’s presence.

Tree trunks are knocked on so loudly that the sound echoes for miles at a time.

Hikers who have camped here claim that their tents have been messed with it at night, as well.

The strongest evidence of Bigfoot’s presence is the mysterious footprints that always seem to pop up in the forest.

These reports have become so credible, Animal Planet sent a team of their own to look into the matter.

This makes the forest a popular location for those who find themselves in search of a fun Halloween activity.

Lake Norman’s Normie

Of course, every region also has its own Loch Ness story to share and North Carolina has their own tale to tell.

They have their own monster who resides in Lake Norman, who will answer to Normie if the locals are to be believed on this one.

Lake Norman was a sustainable community before it flooded during the 1960s.

There are remnants of this town that remain visible beneath the surface.

This is a story that has even been shared on a local real estate website:

“Only a few of the taller buildings were demolished because of the risk they may have posed to boats traveling on the lake, and a few standalone graves, as well as entire cemeteries, were relocated. Besides those few items moved or destroyed, everything else in the town remained as water began to flood the city.”

If a diver is willing to dive deeply enough, they will be able to discover these remnants for themselves.

A crashed airplane is also located at this lake’s expense, so it is easy to see why these types of urban legends have persisted for this long.

Normie is said to reside among the remains of the plane and the submerged city.

Perhaps he is just a normal fish that has grown larger than normal, owing to the unique topography of this lake that provides more cover from predators.

There is only one way to find out!

Alligators vs Crocodiles

While the American alligator can be found in the Outer Banks and other areas in North Carolina, crocodiles are not typically present.

Alligators and crocodiles are not known for coexisting in the same habitat, so this news should not come as a surprise.

There are a few key differences between these reptiles that need to be discussed as well.

For starters, alligators are not known for their aggression.

Crocodiles, on the other hand, are far more ready for combat.

They also typically grow to be larger than alligators. Neither should be approached or antagonized in any situation.

The alligator lives throughout the southern United States, while the crocodile is only found in South Florida.

Alligators have a wider range of distribution within the United States and crocodiles have more of a worldwide reach.

3 Safety Tips For Swimming In Alligator Infested Waters

1. Heed All Warnings

There are usually going to be warning signs that will let you know whether the waters are safe to navigate.

Local advisories are also able to provide you with all of the advance warnings that you need.

Neglecting signage or advisories that have been put into place could place you or your loved ones in immediate danger.

2. Do Not Swim Alone

If you have decided to swim in alligator-infested waters, a buddy system is always best.

All parties should remain careful. For example, splashing around in alligator-infested waters is not advisable.

When alligators hear splashes, they assume that prey is near and may attack.

Even something as benign as allowing your child or pet to splash around at the water’s edge could attract alligator aggression.

Fishing alone can also be dangerous, as an alligator could latch onto the line and assume that a hooked fish is their dinner.

3. Keep a Respectful Distance

So you’re out on the water and you have come across an alligator.

That’s okay, that does not mean that you need to start panicking.

It is a good idea to keep a respectful distance, though.

Alligators seem slow and awkward to the untrained eye but once they sense an opportunity to attack perceived prey?

They will move through the water at a rapid rate of speed.

Summary

Alligators may not be a huge worry for Outer Banks visitors or residents but that does not mean that all caution should be thrown to the wind.

Humans are not usually in danger when swimming in these waters but be sure to exercise common sense.

Heed all warnings, do not provoke these animals, and do not make the mistake of allowing pets or children to antagonize them in any way.