Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge |
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IUCN Category IV (Habitat/Species Management Area)
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 Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
Location in the United States
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| Location | Dare, Hyde counties, North Carolina, United States |
| Nearest city | Manns Harbor, North Carolina |
| Area | 152,000 acres (620 km2) |
| Established | 1984 |
| Governing body | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge |
The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a huge natural area in eastern North Carolina, right on the Atlantic Coast. It covers about 152,000 acres (which is over 615 square kilometers!). This special place was created on March 14, 1984. Its main job is to protect a unique type of wetland called a pocosin and all the amazing animals that live there.
People from all over the world visit the refuge. They especially love the red wolf (Canis rufus) howling programs. It's a rare chance to hear these special animals.
Contents
What is the Alligator River Refuge?
The Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is a very large protected area. It covers parts of Dare and Hyde Counties in North Carolina. The refuge is about 28 miles (45 km) long from north to south and 15 miles (24 km) wide.
It sits in North Carolina's Coastal Plain. The Alligator River and the Intracoastal Waterway form its western border. A bridge called the Lindsay C. Warren bridge crosses the waterway. To the north, you'll find the Albemarle Sound. On the east, it's bordered by Croatan and Pamlico Sounds. To the south, there's the Long Shoal River and some farmlands.
The Alligator River Refuge also helps manage other nearby wildlife refuges. These include the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, Mackay Island, Currituck, and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges.
Why is the Refuge Important?
This refuge plays a big role in protecting nature. It helps keep unique wetland habitats safe. These habitats are home to many different kinds of wildlife. Some of these animals are even endangered, meaning they are at risk of disappearing forever.
The refuge also works to bring back natural water levels. They do this by blocking man-made ditches that drain water away. This helps reduce the risk of fires and brings back important animal homes.
Besides protecting nature, the refuge offers fun activities for visitors. You can go hunting, fishing, or simply watch and photograph wildlife. It's also a great place for learning about nature.
Amazing Animals and Plants
The refuge has many different types of habitats. These include high and low pocosin areas, bogs, fresh and brackish (slightly salty) water marshes, hardwood swamps, and Atlantic white cypress swamps.
You can find many interesting plants here, such as:
- Pitcher plants and sun dews (which are carnivorous plants!)
- Low bush cranberries
- Redbay trees
- Atlantic white cypress trees
- Pond pine trees
- American sweetgum trees
- Red maple trees
- Many other herbaceous plants and shrubs common to the East Coast.
The Alligator River Refuge is one of the best places on the Eastern Seaboard to see American black bears. It also has many ducks, geese, and swans.
Here are some of the other amazing animals you might spot:
- Wading birds and shorebirds
- American woodcock
- Raptors (like hawks and eagles)
- Alligators
- White-tailed deer
- Raccoons
- Cottontail rabbits
- Bobwhite quail
- Northern river otters
- Red-cockaded woodpeckers (another endangered bird)
- And many other birds that migrate through the area.
Images for kids
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Sandy Ridge Gut
