While you'd expect to see gators in the wetlands of southern Alabama, people seem surprised to learn there are alligators in northern Alabama waters, too. While they are native to the state, reports of sightings have increased in recent years around the Tennessee River, especially in communities near the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge.

The Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is located along the Tennessee River in Decatur, Alabama. At 35,000 acres, the refuge is the largest in the state and among the largest in the nation. Among the more than 600 species that call it home are at least several dozen alligators, and likely more, according to estimates.

While alligators are native to Alabama, hunting had decimated the population nationally by the early 1900s. Alabama became the first state to protect American alligators in 1938, and by 1967, it was listed nationally as an endangered species.

Around that time, conservationists introduced a small population to the refuge. Thanks to these efforts nationwide, the alligator was delisted as endangered in 1987 and remains federally protected today.

When comparing the estimated population in the Tennessee River to their vast room to roam, North Alabama isn't inundated with them. However, signs are posted along trails near water to make people aware.

Outdoor Alabama offers a guide to basic safety tips about living with alligators, including keeping pets away from shorelines, not disposing of fish scraps in the water, and generally staying aware around any body of water large enough to be a habitat for alligators. If you see one, keep your distance and certainly don't feed or harass it.

Reptile sightings usually increase right along with the temperatures outdoors. Naturally, paddlers drawn back to the water for the same reason are the most likely to see them. Alligators enter a dormant state called brumation when it starts getting cold outside, and it usually lasts a few months.

While you're not as likely to see alligators on land, it does happen, sometimes in unexpected places. Well, it's unexpected in the moment, but not in the big picture. Increasing development has introduced people to spaces where the alligators were probably hanging out for quite some time.

Recently, wildlife officials responded to calls about a six-foot alligator in Madison. I am guessing it was just as surprised as the people, especially if this was a route taken over years before. The alligator was relocated for the safety of all involved.

The situation was similar for a much smaller alligator in Decatur, reported near Ingalls Harbor. City of Decatur Police picked it up, named it Al, and announced him as a new investiGATOR before reassigning it to work at Wheeler Wildlife Refuge.

While it may seem the alligator population is booming, it's more likely that social media and residential development have only made them more noticeable. Alligators in North Alabama are a comeback story, nevertheless. It's just happened over a longer time than you might have thought.

If you'd like to go alligator spotting in North Alabama, plan a trip to the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge soon. I promise there's plenty of nature to enjoy there, alligators or not. Book a stay at the Fairfield Inn, the new hotel that opened in the heart of Decatur's historic downtown.