Wildlife Diversity Programs

Wildlife  Diversity Programs

In 2005, TWRA developed a Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (CWCS)​, now termed the State Wildlife Action Plan or SWAP, detailing the significance of the rare, threatened and endangered wildlife and their habitats in Tennessee. 

As a part of this State Wildlife Action Plan, TWRA Wildlife Diversity Staff conducts surveys across the state, collecting data on the absence, presence, or probable presence of species of greatest conservation need.  This data is used in a model developed as a part of the 2005 CWCS.

Wildlife Diversity Biologists from across the state revised the Plan, you can read more about it at www.tnswap.com, a process that was completed in September 2015.  As a part of this revision, the conservation statuses of all wildlife within the state were assessed. 

The habitat preferences of all terrestrial species were reviewed, linking species with their preferred habitats.  These preferences, along with species occurrences were also mapped. 

An addition to 2015 SWAP was the development of Conservation Opportunity Areas throughout the state.  Management and conservation opportunities will be determined within these conservation areas to maximize the conservation of all wildlife. 

The inclusion of climate change and assessment of impacts as a result of climate change was also the main goal of 2015 SWAP.  To aid conservation efforts in a world with a changing climate, biologists and conservationists will seek to identify areas where conservation actions may be needed to conserve the diversity of wildlife despite changes to habitats resulting from a change in the climate. 

Wildlife Diversity staff conduct numerous projects as well as participates in projects occurring across the state.  These surveys are used to monitor populations of nongame species, collect data and information beyond the typical presence / probable absence data, and further our knowledge of these unique animals within middle Tennessee.

The Wildlife Diversity Program in Tennessee oversees data collection, data management, monitoring, and assists with the management of all non-game wildlife throughout the state.  

Wildlife Diversity Surveys

In an effort to document the presence or probable absence of nongame species inhabiting TWRA’s wildlife management areas, our wildlife diversity survey manager conducts surveys throughout the year. 

The data collected from these efforts aid with the management decisions of our lands.  The data is also used in models developed as a part of the State Wildlife Action Plan. 

A number of methods are used to document nongame wildlife in our wildlife management areas. 

Drift fences are established to capture amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. 

Coverboards are used to capture amphibians and reptiles. 

Live capture Havahart and Sherman traps are used in the documentation of small mammals. 

Bats are captured with mist nets and harp traps, and the calls of bats are recorded with acoustical devices. 

Standard point counts are used to document the presence of birds. 

Many more techniques are used to document the wildlife on state lands and are used in different situations based on the species being targeted.

Previous surveys have been conducted on:

Hellbender Presence/Absence Surveys and Habitat Quantification

Hellbenders, Crypotobranchus alleganiensis, is the largest salamander in the state of Tennessee, reaching lengths up to three feet long.  They occur only in rivers and streams and feed primarily on crayfish.  Hellbenders require large slab rocks for cover and nesting and cobble for development of larvae.  Once the eggs are laid, males stay at the nesting site, providing protection from predators.  One of the main threats facing this species is habitat loss or degradation of current habitat.  Hellbenders require clean, cool water, and siltation and sedimentation can have adverse, long lost lasting impacts on populations.

The initial goal of this project was to document the occurrence of hellbenders in as many streams in middle Tennessee as possible.  Unfortunately, few individuals were captured and few populations were identified.  When comparing current occurrence information to historical data, it appears several populations have possibly been lost in middle Tennessee.  Habitat within several of these streams appears to have degraded not allowing populations to be supported anymore.  The embeddedness of the stream substrate due to sedimentation and siltation appears to be the main reason for the loss of habitat.  Despite these findings, several populations do remain and occur in areas that will be protected into the future.  One goal will be to ensure land use changes upstream of these populations will not impact these remaining populations.

Currently, propagation efforts have been initiated with animals captured from across the state.  One goal is to reintroduce Hellbenders into streams they once occurred.  These efforts may take several years because propagation of the species is extremely difficult.  Many other aspects of this species life history and reasons behind their decline within the state are also being assessed.​

Indiana Bat Migration and Summer Habitat Use

The Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis, is listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services.   Like many of the bats that make Tennessee their home, Indiana bats spend the winter in caves across middle Tennessee.  Larger winter populations can be found in east Tennessee.  During the spring, Indiana bat, primarily the females, make migrations from these caves to their summer maternity grounds.  We initiated a migration telemetry study several years ago in an effort to identify maternity trees for this species within Tennessee.  In 2013, we were able to identify several maternity trees in middle Tennessee for the first time.  Identifying these trees is very important because they only use dead or dying trees that have sloughing bark.  Indiana bats crawl under this bark, forming colonies from just a few individuals to several hundred and the pups are born and reared under this same bark.  This type of narrow habitat preference is one of many reasons why this species is endangered in the United States.  Identifying maternity trees is important to aiding with conservation efforts of this species. 

Once an Indiana bat is captured, transmitters are attached prior to migration and last approximately 21 days.  Shortly after the transmitter fails, it falls off the bat.  Migrations to the maternity grounds rarely last longer than 21 days and normally only take approximately 7-10 days.  Migration distances of 50 to almost 290 miles have been observed during this study.  We have been able to identify maternity roosts in 5 states, including states south of Tennessee.  Maternity colonies located south are unique because it has been believed this species only migrates north from winter sites to summer sites. 

Following the location of a maternity colony, Wildlife Diversity personnel continue to monitor these colonies with nightly emergence counts, mist netting for attachment of new transmitters and continued telemetry, and analysis of vegetation surrounding the maternity trees and across the landscape.  During the project in 2013, we identified 11 primary or secondary roost trees in middle Tennessee.  The largest colony had 56 bats emerge during a single nightly emergence count.  Late summer telemetry at one colony allowed for the identification of a foraging area a short distance away from the roost tree.  Roost trees were found in a variety of habitats on the landscape and include ridge tops, edges of fields and forested areas.

Gray Bat Winter Monitoring and Summer Banding

The gray bat, Myotis grisescens, is listed as endangered by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Unlike many of species of bats that inhabit Tennessee, the gray bat uses caves throughout the year in Tennessee.    During the summer, gray bats form large maternity colonies in caves where the females give birth to the pups, raising them until they can fly, or become volant.    At this same time, male gray bats form bachelor colonies in the same caves as the females or these colonies may be found in different caves. 

In the winter, gray bats, like many species of bat in Tennessee, enter caves to hibernate; however, this species requires specific temperature and humidity levels and the reason gray bats only have three primary caves used for hibernation within the state.   Each of these three caves is protected by TWRA or The Nature Conservancy of Tennessee.    Winter colony sizes may range from 160,000 bats to well over 500,000 bats during this critical period of the year.

Biologists perform routine surveys of wintering gray bats biennially.  Historically, these surveys were performed every three years to minimize disturbance.   

Because of white-nose syndrome, surveys were performed annually for a short period to assess any impacts from this devastating disease.   During these surveys, biologists try to determine the density of gray bats within each square foot of cave wall where bats are found.    At the end of the survey, all estimations are tallied to determine the approximate number of wintering bats within the cave.

Wildlife Diversity personnel began capturing gray bats during nightly emergences to apply bands, determine the demographics of the colony, reproductive statuses, and assess the impacts from white-nose syndrome.    Captures are made with a large trap design to safely capture these flying mammals as they emerge to feed on insects.   

The banding of gray bats allows Wildlife Diversity personnel to determine site fidelity, migration distances, and longevity for the species.  Many of the bands recovered are made within the same cave in which they were placed or within one of the primary caves within the state.    These recoveries indicate a strong preference for these caves and movement between the caves. 

Wildlife Diversity personnel have recovered bands in Tennessee from as far north as the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois, and TWRA bands have been recovered in a cave in north Alabama.  These recoveries indicate gray bats migrate great distances between caves.

White-nose Syndrome Monitoring

White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and affects hibernating bats.    First documented in New York during the winter of 2006-2007, WNS is responsible for more than 5.5 million bat deaths in the Northeastern U.S. and Canada. 

WNS exhibits itself as a white fungus growing on the muzzle of infected bats, hence the name White-nose Syndrome.   The fungus can also grow on and affect wing and ear tissue.   To date, 29 states and 5 Canadian provinces are considered WNS - positive, including Tennessee, and the fungus has been documented in three additional states.   Large numbers of cave bats are being impacted in Tennessee.  There are over 10,000 caves within the state increasing the challenges of assessing impacts of WNS to bats in Tennessee.  WNS has been documented in 52 of the 78 Tennessee counties that have caves.

TWRA has responded to this threat in several ways.  First, the TWRA is a member of the WNS Advisory Council of Tennessee.  This council is comprised of biologists and researchers from multiple state and federal agencies, non-government agencies, and researchers from numerous academic institutions from across the state who meet annually to discuss the current status of WNS in the state, prioritize and schedule cave surveys to monitor bats and impacts from WNS, and to discuss and coordinate bat and WNS research throughout the state.  Secondly, TWRA biologists and wildlife diversity personnel participate in the Tennessee Bat Working Group (TNBWG), an organization created in 2004 to help conserve bat species in the Southeastern U.S.  The TNBWG meets annually and researchers from across Tennessee and adjoining states present the results of research conducted in the state or give information regarding species of bats found in the state.

To date multiple tools are being developed that may allow options to combat this deadly epidemic.  Since the discovery of WNS in Tennessee, biologists have implemented surveys and research projects to gauge the impacts of WNS.  In an effort to minimize human spread of the fungus, TWRA and other participants adhere to a strict gear decontamination protocol when working with bats in caves and on the landscape.  Despite controversy, the TWRA made the decision to close all agency-owned caves to public access in 2012.  The closure is an attempt to limit the spread of WNS due to contaminated clothing and gear.  Finally, the TWRA provides funding and personnel to support ongoing research and education.

Barrens Top Minnow Population Monitoring

Monitoring of Barrens Top Minnows, Fundulus julisia, began several years ago.  This species occupies springs and spring influenced streams in the Barrens of southeastern middle Tennessee.  Barrens top minnows prefer submergent vegetation for egg laying, but this is not a requirement.  This species is short lived, living approximately three years in the wild.  Brightly colored males are easily preyed upon.  Population declines are strongly linked to the presence of the Western Mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis.

Monitoring efforts take place during the winter with biologists seining habitats to census populations.  Three passes are made with the seines with all fish being identified and counted.  During the summer months, the water levels of some springs are checked frequently, especially during times of drought.  Some springs may dry completely potentially resulting in the loss of an entire population.  If it is thought a spring will completely dry, biologists remove all Barrens Top Minnows and take them to a facility where they are maintained until typical hydrology resumes.

Golden Eagle Surveys and Telemetry

The Golden Eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, is one of the most widely distributed eagles in North America.  This species migrates large distances between summer and winter grounds and is typically only present in Tennessee during the winter. However, there are some Golden Eagles in Tennessee year-round and these birds are likely decedents of a hacking program implemented by TWRA between 1995 and 2006. 

Golden Eagles migrate to Tennessee from Canada during the winter, spending much of this time in large tracts of forests.  They have been observed feeding on carrion in fields and along roads.  It was once thought these migrating Golden Eagles were only located in eastern Tennessee but recent surveys indicate high densities of birds in southern Tennessee along the Alabama state line.

Wildlife Diversity personnel have established multiple survey sites across middle Tennessee to document wintering Golden Eagles.  Trail cameras are used to take photographs throughout the day at each site. Once Golden Eagles begin frequenting the site, all efforts are made to capture the animals.  Once captured, the birds are tested for lead poisoning and a large transmitter is attached to their back. 

This transmitter records location data for 2-3 years.  Migration data has become extremely important in identifying routes of migration and wintering areas within the state.  

The project:

TWRA lead research on Golden Eagles wintering in Tennessee is part of a large project across the Appalachian Mountains coordinated by Dr. Todd Katzner at West Virginia University and the Eastern Golden Eagle Working Group, presenting information on the project at AppalachianEagles.org.

Research is designed to document occurrences of Eastern Golden Eagles on the wintering grounds, which will allow for a greater understanding of population size and habitat use.

Through tracking birds with transmitters, we are hoping to better understand specific habitat uses, spatial movements, migration corridors, esp. in areas where there is potential for wind development, effects of spent lead ammunition, leghold traps, and fragmentation of forests on Eastern Golden Eagles.

Ultimately we will gain more information about the origin of Eastern Golden Eagles wintering in Tennessee and the southeast as the birds collect data year-round and will provide detailed information on breeding locations.

In January 2014, TWRA staff, Daniel Moss at Ft. Campbell, USFWS, and TNC personnel operated at least 19 bait sites across Tennessee from the Haywood County and the Hatchie River to the TN-NC state line.

Golden Eagles were only recorded on 5 sites, which is an unusually low percentage of sites with birds as compared to previous years' success rates.

We began trapping efforts the last week of January 2014 and continued through mid-Feb. Trapping success was low (lots of unusual technical issues and nervous birds), but Mike and Trish also trapped in Alabama for a week and caught three birds south of the border!

As of 21 February 2014, they trapped 3 birds in Alabama that are flying around with transmitters purchased by partners in Alabama, 2 birds caught at the Hytop site in Alabama that have (or will get) a TN purchased transmitter, while a 3rd bird was caught at Unaka Mountain just into North Carolina (he has a TN transmitter as well).

In January 2012, TWRA and TNC managed 15 different bait sites for Golden Eagles and documented Golden Eagles at 6 different locations in eastern Tennessee. 

In January-February 2013, TWRA, USFWS, and TNC operated 10 bait sites and documented Golden Eagles at 5 sites.

We also trapped 3 Golden Eagles and attached GPS transmitters that send data to cellular communication towers.

Transmitters are developed, deployed, and data is managed by Cellular Tracking Technologies.

Proper credit must be given to the folks that did all the hard work with this project:

TWRA - Josh Campbell, Terry Hopkins, Chris Simpson, Dustin Thames, Chris Ogle, Scott Dykes, Sterling Daniels, Rob Colvin, Jeremy Dennison, Keith Thomas, Tommy Edwards, and Mark Vance in addition to other WMA managers and technicians. 

Mary Miller with USFS and Ken McDonald with USFWS. Eric Soehren with Alabama DCNR coordinated with Frank Allen at a site in north Alabama. Chris Kelly with NC Wildlife Commission coordinated sites in western NC. Daniel Moss at Ft. Campbell. 

Trish Miller and Michael Lanzone in coordination with Scott Somershoe (TWRA) worked with field personnel to trap birds. Todd Katznerwith West Virginia University (now USGS in Boise) was and still is the brainchild behind the entire Golden Eagle research project.

Snake Fungal Disease in Tennessee 

Snake Fungal Disease, Photo Credit: Danny Bryan

Observations of infectious diseases in wildlife populations have been increasing in recent years and impacts vary geographically and by species.  In Tennessee, various species of wildlife have been impacted by multiple diseases that include, deer (epizootic hemorrhagic disease), waterfowl (avian influenza), amphibians (chytrid fungus and ranavirus), and bats (white-nose syndrome). 

Impacts to these species have varied, but large declines have been observed on localized scales, or in the case of bats, declines have been observed statewide.

Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) is an emerging skin disease affecting both free-ranging and captive snake species across North America.  SFD can be extremely debilitating to snakes, and in severe cases, lethal or requiring human intervention and euthanasia.  In 2009, the fungus Chrysosporium ophiodiicola was described from a black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) in Georgia.  This individual presented symptoms of large, slow-growing facial masses.

The fungus was later re-circumscribed as Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola in the family Onygenaceae based on morphological, cultural and molecular data. The majority of disease cases reported have been restricted to the eastern United States.  SFD has been confirmed in 20 U.S. states (Florida, Georgia, New Hampshire, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Louisiana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Kentucky, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Alabama, Minnesota, Connecticut, Vermont, and Tennessee) and Canada.  SFD has been documented in 30 species of snakes in North America and it is possible impacts may vary by species, population, and geographically.  Reports and observations of SFD have increased across the eastern United States in recent years.

Snakes presenting with SFD may be observed with ulcerated and/or eroded skin, incomplete sheds, large nodules on the head or other parts of the body, severely malformed heads, appear malnourished or lethargic, and unusual behaviors, to include frequently observed in the open or basking at unusual times.  O. ophiodiicola invades the superficial skin of snakes causing lesions.

These lesions swell and lead to thickening, crusting, and eventual death of the epidermis.  During molting, the shedding skin bunches up, with portions adhering to one another, leading to dysecdysis (portions of the molt being retained on the new skin).  After this, the crust falls off the snake, the ulcerated and eroded skin is revealed.  Some scales may be smaller, deformed or depigmented as a result of these lesions.  Snakes also develop dermal granulomas on the head, neck, and chin.  The effects of lesions developed as the result of SFD can vary, be mild to severe or ultimately lethal.  In addition, this fungus has been routinely detected in asymptomatic snakes leading researchers to question if these snakes haven’t yet developed symptoms characteristic of SFD, or alternatively if O. ophiodiicola occurs as a commensal member of the snake microbiome.

SFD was first confirmed in Tennessee during fall of 2012 in samples taken from a timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) collected in Dekalb County. During the following spring, additional samples collected from both a timber rattlesnake and queen snake (Regina septemviattta) collected in Rutherford County, TN also tested positive. 

It is highly likely SFD may have been present in some populations prior to these confirmations as researchers have observed snakes in other portions of the state in previous years with clinical symptoms similar to those presented above.  However, these early reports of snake fungal disease in Tennessee are speculation.  Since the initial SFD project was implemented in the state, over 235 samples have been collected from 20 snake species. Samples have been collected in 25 counties and O. ophiodiicola was confirmed in or present on 14 snake species across 15 Tennessee counties.

2012-2017 Snake Fungal Disease Monitoring Report

Observations of SFD

Observations of SFD can be made across the state throughout the year. Because of the geographic scope of any potential occurrence, collecting the samples necessary for testing can be problematic. However, maintaining a database of observations being made can be used to direct where sampling and monitoring can be targeted. The public is encouraged to submit records of any observations made to aid the efforts surrounding SFD. Any record submitted should contain the following information:

1. The date the observation is made

2. The exact location of the observation. GPS coordinates (dd.ddddd) must accompany any locality information submitted.

3. The species of snake observed.

4. The symptoms observed, to include unusual behavior.

5. Photographs of both the snake and symptoms, including any lesions, bumps or scabs observed.

Reports with the information above should be submitted to personnel in one of the following offices: 

Statewide Office, Nashville
Roger Applegate
Wildlife Population Biologist
615-781-6616
Roger.Applegate@tn.gov

Region I Office,  Jackson
Rob Colvin
Wildlife Biologist
731-423-5725
Rob.Colvin@tn.gov

Region II Office, Nashville
Josh Campbell
Wildlife Diversity Coordinator
615-781-6626
Josh.Campbell@tn.gov

Region III, Crossville
Chris Simpson
Wildlife Diversity Coordinator
931-484-971 
Chris.Simpson@tn.gov 

Region IV, Morristown
Scott Dykes
Wildlife Diversity Coordinator
1-800-332-0900, ext. 112
Scott.Dykes@tn.gov

Snake Fungal Disease, Photo Credit: Danny Bryan
Snake Fungal Disease, Photo Credit: Danny Bryan

The Tennessee Amphibian Monitoring Program (TAMP)

The Tennessee Amphibian Monitoring Program (TAMP) is a volunteer-based, multi-agency effort to assess the current status of amphibians (frogs, toads, and salamanders) across our state, with the goal of learning where they live and how they are doing. The TAMP is sponsored by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and the Center For Environmental Education at Middle Tennessee State University.

Participation in the Tennessee Amphibian Monitoring Program is voluntary and is open to all interested persons, old and young alike.

In recent years, biologists in many parts of the world have documented declining populations of amphibians, especially anurans (frogs & toads). While reasons for these declines are often unknown, scientists speculate that some declines may be the result of pollution, predation by introduced species, unfavorable changes in land and water use, habitat destruction, climatic changes, inappropriate use of pesticides and herbicides, and holes in the ozone layer. Some declines may simply be a natural, though seemingly unfortunate, cycle of many populations.

In some high-elevation lakes of the Pacific Northwest it was recently shown that frog eggs allowed to develop in their native habitat were adversely affected by the amount of ultraviolet radiation present, while those that were shielded from UV light developed normally. Many populations of some montane (mountain habitat) frog species may have disappeared for this reason. This lends some credence to our concerns about holes in the ozone layer, and reminds us of the value of amphibians as environmental indicators.

In response to these declines in North America, an international group of biologists created the North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP), with the goal of providing reliable methods of monitoring our native amphibians. The TAMP is being undertaken in an effort to understand the status of amphibians in our home state. The TAMP is an integral part of this larger national effort while expanding the scope of the surveys to suit special needs in the Volunteer State.

Our goal is to cover the entire state by enlisting a network of volunteers (Frogloggers) with an interest in science, herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles) and conservation. Over time, the data which Frogloggers collect will help biologists and land managers know where each species occurs and in what abundance, and will help them make good decisions which benefit our amphibian populations, our environment and ourselves.

Please consider becoming one of Tennessee's volunteer Frogloggers and help to keep our frog song going

Green Salamander  (Aneides aeneus)  

The Green Salamander (Aneides aeneus) is a cryptic species of lungless salamander that is rarely encountered in Tennessee. The species is a habitat specialist whose primary habitat is along sandstone rock outcroppings where they are found inside of narrow crevices. The species is occasionally found on limestone outcroppings and, more infrequently still, under logs and in trees. This is the only species of salamander in eastern Northern America that has a green coloration, which makes excellent camouflage around the moss-covered, shady rock outcroppings it calls home.


Unfortunately, Green Salamanders face a variety of anthropogenic threats and, overall, the species is thought to be declining across its range. Disease caused by the Chytrid fungus and Ranavirus are leading to mass extinctions of amphibian species across the world, and both diseases have been found in the Green Salamander. While disease is certainly a major threat, habitat loss and fragmentation is likely the greatest threat to amphibians, including the Green Salamander. Threats to habitat can isolate populations and inhibit the flow of genes which can lead to dramatic population declines.

In 2012, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was petitioned to protect the Green Salamander under the Endangered Species Act. After an extensive review process, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced in 2015 that protection may be warranted. In order to make an accurate assessment of the species’ conservation status, knowledge gaps concerning many aspects of its demographics (population size, natural birth and death rates) and ecology must first be filled.

To fill these knowledge gaps, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA), in partnership with five other states representing the core of Green Salamander geographic distribution, applied for and received a competitive State Wildlife Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The three primary objectives of the research are to: 1) survey historical occurrence records and document new occurrences of the species, 2) assess the prevalence of disease, and 3) evaluate the genetic structure of the species across its range. The TWRA then partnered with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to conduct the disease aspect of the study and with the University of Alabama at Huntsville to conduct the genetic analyses.

TWRA biologists and their university partners will survey numerous areas across the eastern two-thirds of the state including Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), State Parks, State Natural Areas, State Forests, and private lands in search of the elusive Green Salamander. The basic method for finding the species involves walking along bluff lines and rock outcroppings, and peering into crevices with flashlights.

Once an individual is found, researchers use zip ties to coerce the salamanders out of the crevice and into a single use zip-lock bag. While in the bag, measurements are taken along with swab samples that will be sent to the University of Tennessee for disease testing. Also, a small section of the end of the tail is severed off for genetic sequencing at the University of Alabama. Finally, the salamanders are released back into their crevice.

Ultimately, protecting a species under the Endangered Species Act is a costly and time consuming endeavor, and the primary goal of the State Wildlife Grant Program is to provide research that will keep species from being listed unless protection is absolutely critical. At the conclusion of this research, we will have a much better idea of how disease is impacting Green Salamanders across their range and if populations are being isolated enough to halt gene flow across populations. As the other objects of this research are fulfilled, we will be in a much better position to not only assess the conservation needs of Green Salamanders, but also focus our conservation strategies to best ensure the persistence of these colorful amphibians for generations to come.
 

TWRA Alligator Snapping Turtle Restoration Project

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is conducting an Alligator Snapping Turtle Restoration Project in West Tennessee which involves the release of live alligator snapping turtles. Alligator snapping turtles are listed in Tennessee as endangered or threatened species and are illegal to take.

For more information or to report sightings of alligator snapping turtles, contact TWRA at 731-423-5725, or write to 200 Lowell Thomas Dr., Jackson, TN 38301. 

Alligator Snapping Turtle

ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE

  • Alligator snapping turtles have three large prominent ridges along the back and a prominently hooked beak. 
  • Often reaches weights in excess of 30 pounds.
  • Alligator snapping turtles have an extra row of scutes (scales) between the outer scale row and the large center scales. 
Common Snapping Turtle

COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE

  • Common snapping turtles have a smoother, rounded shell without the three ridges and weakly hooked beak. 
  • Rarely exceeds 30 pounds.
  • Common snapping turtles do not have the extra row of scutes (scales) between the outer scale row and large central scales.