are there alligators in laurel mississippi

"That's a rule you just don't break in the woods.". The best way to see alligators in this river is by getting out onto the water with a boat tour. "You're talking hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of bites a year," Jones said. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. This year (season ended Sept. 17) we had several 500-pound plus.". As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 18,393 people, 6,925 households, and 4,542 families residing in the city. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. Most wild alligators have an average lifespan of 35 to 50 years but can live as long as humans. Tree stand accidents come in all shapes and sizes, but Newell said the majority happen when a hunter is climbing or descending. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. Jones County trappers catch 740-pound gator, 2-vehicle crash on MS-588 causes multiple fatalities, Suspect charged with manslaughter for Bassfield shooting over the weekend, Paradise Pier opens this weekend in Biloxi, GRAPHIC: Huskies rescued, owner arrested in Jones Co. following animal welfare complaint, Hattiesburg police seek publics help to find runaway teen. See full Affiliate Disclosure here. Postal Service request to provide a postal delivery name for their mill and its surrounding lumber camp, Kamper and Lewin submitted the name "Lawrell" as an homage to the area's naturally-growing mountain laurel bushes. "The alligator don't take nothing off of nobody," Wayne said. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in the Davis Bayous area in Ocean Springs right on Mississippis southern coast. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. Jackson and Hattiesburg are the largest cities with train stations. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". "He does what he wants to do.". :What to know about the chances of attack. As the Hospitality State, well always be friendly towards visitors, but that doesnt mean we want them to start calling Mississippi home. On the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends out a "Welcome!" But as with the Napiers and their friends, you might not know it from talking to her. The per capita income for the city was $15,561. The most common place to find alligators in Mississippi is in the Pascagoula River. Alligators, like other crocodilians, are large animals with powerful tails that are used both in defense and in swimming. That number of annual fatalities is about average, he said. Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. "The Pascagoula has an overall abundant number of alligators, and they are widespread," Flynt said. "It was just us and the feral cats. A tall white man with a deep Southern . Address: 107 S 17th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. With two rat terriers trotting at his heels, and a long wooden staff in his hand, J.R. Gavin leads me through the woods to one of the old swamp hide-outs. Thank you for reading! According to the United States Census Bureau, Laurel has a total area of 16.5 square miles (42.8km2), of which 15.8 square miles (40.8km2) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.8km2), or 1.81%, are water. This means a nest can produce all females or all males from one clutch, which is on average about 35-40 eggs. After being gone from Laurel for 34 years, I decided to return in 2015. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. The zoo also runs a Gator Feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can watch the alligators being fed. Males had a median income of $27,077 versus $17,336 for females. "Take two steps back and walk away," Vandeventer preaches. The Pascagoula River is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike. "Hurricanes and tropical storms do not have any significant impact on alligators," Flynt said. Mississippi held its first alligator hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! The gator was not harmed while being relocated. "On a scale of one to 10, maybe a two," Flynt said. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. 37.5% of those under the age of 18 and 19.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. He had a bird's-eye view. . She's known for creating beautiful lifestyle books that are inviting, real, and accessible. That breaks down to 19 percent of the state's preferred habitat for alligators in those three counties. Fourteen northern Mississippi counties have produced no alligator records, but nuisance alligator complaints have come from as far north as Coahoma, Lafayette, and Itawamba Counties. You might recognize Erin and her husband, Bentwo of Laurel's biggest championsfrom their HGTV makeover show Home Town. A bite from a venomous snake can be painful at best and even cause death. Not only did Sanders endure pain and several days in a Vicksburg medical facility, his treatment bills totaled $442,000. According to the MSDH, there have been 23 deaths caused by West Nile since 2010. All rights reserved. The officer used a catch pole to secure it and put the gator in a dog box in the back of his truck. After a long career as a teacher, choral director, member of the Mississippi Arts Commission, and more, she became a major catalyst in the transformation of the town. Visitors are welcome here everyday and are able to stroll through the lush green woodlands to spot a variety of animals including deer, skunks, raccoons, birds and more. Unfortunately, what is generally just an itchy bite can be a killer. Making A Visit to Laurel, Mississippi Home of Home Town. Alligators can also be found within the lake premises, with the most relevant sighting dating back to 2013 when festival-goers near the lake spotted and took a picture of a gator at Grenada Lake. For a town with a size of only 18,000 people, that is a very big deal! So, how can they survive without eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March? In 1942, Howard Wash, a 45-year-old African-American man who had been convicted of murder, was dragged from jail and lynched by a mob. Laurel is a city located in Jones County Mississippi.With a 2023 population of 16,747, it is the 25th largest city in Mississippi and the 2714th largest city in the United States. To control the alligator population, Mississippi adopted a hunting season seven years ago in which tags are awarded through a computer drawing. In the center of town, book a spacious room with soaring ceilings above Sweet Somethings Bakery. Laurel was the big city for us. Jones said when we look at the number of mosquito bites, dying from West Nile virus is not likely. Even so, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. I got involved after college. "Nary a one," Flynt said. By the end of World War I, Laurel's mills were producing and shipping more yellow pine lumber than those of any other location in the entire world. He is also one of the 25 people in the state that can legally trap alligators. The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside city limits. According to the Kppen Climate Classification system, Laurel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. "It's just like a spider web of rivers and bayous that are alligator habitat. Temperatures in between produce a mix of males and females. Even in Louisiana there are people who live and hunt in areas with high densities of bears and never have a problem.". Period," Flynt said. There's a real possibility of being eaten alive. They have alligators at Gulf Coast Gator Ranch & Tours. In 2017, a fishing couple caught a dead 10-foot alligator in the Neuse River near New Bern, according to N&O archives. This 48,000-acre National Wildlife Refuge, located in Starkville, is filled with hiking trails and woodlands where youll find a wide variety of wildlife. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. However, that's not typically the case as Flynt said there is usually a range of temperatures in a nest, producing a healthy mix of males and females. It has many large lakes that serve as a refuge for all kinds of animals including alligators. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. The coastal area has always been part of their natural range. Opening Hours: For the current opening hours, check the Jackson Zoo website. The city of Laurel was incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus. In the years since, shes had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. I was born at the South Mississippi State Hospital, known by most people as the charity hospital. Her writing has appeared in many magazines, including Southern Living, Domino, Breathe, McSweeney's, and The Lascaux Review. Stock up on artisanal beef jerky and homemade fudge at The Knight Butcher. After completing the purchase, Eastman and the Gardiner brothers decided to make substantial improvements to their Laurel lumber operations by constructing a new and much larger, state-of-the-art lumber mill. Young, who is a biologist and spent many years working with black bears, said low numbers of bears in the state is part of the reason they've not been a threat, but their nature should also be considered. There was even a 727-pound gator caught in the Mississippi River back in 2017. "They're shutting down their respiratory system. Stay at Bonnie's Laurel Cottage, a super-friendly place owned by Bonnie McConkey (it's about five minutes from downtown). WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. Nearly everyone you talk to in Laurel points to Judi Holifield as a powerful agent of change in the community. The alligators here can often be found in small lagoons, ponds and swamps. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. "I said man, this beats everything I've ever seen," Wayne said. Thin-Legged Wolf Spider. Combined with alligators in Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. As you approach downtown Laurel from I-59, the first thing that you see is a massive mural. I explained my cataracts theory, and this woman behind the counter looked at me and said, 'I'll take you.' When I was growing up, I could go by that hotel and look in the window at the coffee shop, but I couldn't walk in. When speaking of alligators, Mississippi is one of the most alligator-infested places in the country. Laurel has changed, and I'd like for people to know that.". In Mississippi, venomous species include the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, coral snake and the most common, the copperhead. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. ", The Napiers and their friends were not the only ones making headway here. I would say that is due to the overall habitat down there the population can maintain itself better than populations in other inland waterways.". Flynt expects the Pascagoula River to once again produce the so-called trophy alligator, which would top 600 pounds and 10-feet long, despite Hurricane Isaac dropping nearly 20 inches of rainfall on the area during the final weeks of the season. I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. However, the last significant sighting dates back to 2017, when someone from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that he saw three alligators at the lake. Laurel residents Erin and Ben Napier are featured in the HGTV series Home Town, which premiered on March 21, 2017. Families and tourists will have a lot to do when visiting this lake, with one full-service campground, four parks, and three designated swimming areas. [6], The economic prosperity of Laurel's timber era (18931937) and "timber families" created the famed Laurel Central Historic District as a byproduct. It's made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans. You will immediately recognize the lovely Gardiner Park which is featured so often on Home Town. But like alligators, black bears have yet to be life-threatening in Mississippi. I invite people to do workshops on homeownership, and I tell them where I came from to show them how much Laurel has changed. So, the next time you hear someone talking about wanting to move to Mississippi, politely remind them of these 15 reasons they definitely would not like living in the Magnolia State. Most of our clientele were doctors' offices, real estate agents, and banks in Laurel. The large river and pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. It seems very plausible to imagine an alligator floating elegantly, its silhouette adding a threatening component to the famous view of the Gateway Arch. Youll see a variety of other animals at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs such as lizards, snakes, turtles, raccoons, birds and much more. The Pascagoula River is one place capable of it.". This ranch features over 150-acres of swampland perfect for the large population of alligators that call this place home. There have been several sightings of heavyweight alligators in the river. "They're shutting down their circulatory system," Flynt said. The gators that you rarely hear about, but . Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. "I did some work for the Laurel Retail Merchants Association in the '70s. The Waterfront Hiking Trail In Mississippi Will Capture Your Imagination, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Velvet Cream In Mississippi, This Secluded Nature Trail In Mississippi Is So Worthy Of An Adventure, This Enchanting And Historic Island In Mississippi Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, 15 Things You Quickly Learn When You Move To Mississippi, 12 Things Only True Mississippians Can Tell You About Life In Mississippi, 10 Reasons Why People From Mississippi Are Unbelievably Tough, 11 Stereotypes About Mississippi That Need To Be Put To Rest Right Now, 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. There were 7,804 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile (195.3/km2). And my father said, 'You're still healthy, you love to cook, and you've got a passion for dealing with people. One of the most extended river systems in the country, the Mississippi River is home to many wildlife species such as the paddlefish, leopard frog, cottontail, blue catfish, beaver, coyote, white-tailed deer, otter, muskrat, and even alligators. [31] The show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel. a 27-year-old who goes by "Boo" and works for a trucking company in Laurel, Miss . Flynt said it's possible for Mississippi to produce a 1,000-pound alligator that easily could top 18 feet. Many of the homes and buildings of the district are featured on the current HGTV series Home Town. Once a thriving logging community and cultural hub, Laurel gradually fell into disrepair. Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. A lot of outsiders are unaware of this fact, which is quite alright because the last thing we need is a ton of people swarming to our state. By the time an animal control officer showed up, the gator had taken cover under a pile of pallets next to the restaurants dumpster. It is believed that alligators may go through thousands of teeth in their lifetimes. We had a dream to move the bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around. Every time we would come home to see our family, we'd drive around and look at houses and land. "In fact, we have never had a reported alligator attack on humans in Mississippi. "You're asking to be made an example out of.". ", Have coffee and sticky buns at Sweet Somethings Bakery. "No, there's never been an attack," said Brad Young, executive director of Mississippi Wildlife Federation. The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, The 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes in the United States, Whats the Largest Man Made Lake in Pennsylvania, The Most Alligator Infested Lakes in Mississippi. In 2010, I started a bakery out of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our house. Another place where you can see alligators is at the Jackson Zoo, located in Jackson. ", "I was born and raised in Ellisville, about 15 minutes from here. If a person is bitten by a venomous snake, the Mississippi State Department of Health suggests keeping the affected area at or slightly below the level of the heart and getting the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible. Scale of one to 10, maybe a two, '' Flynt said it 's just like large!, set by an alligator taken on the current HGTV series Home Town Laurel. Mix of males and females climate maps at Bonnie 's Laurel Cottage a. Big deal with timber as the impetus most common place to find alligators in box... Center of Town, which is featured so often on Home Town was over 13 feet long and 740. Feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the current opening Hours, check the Jackson Zoo located... Know that. `` appeared in many magazines, including southern Living, Domino, Breathe, McSweeney,. Artisanal beef jerky and homemade fudge at the Knight Butcher cataracts theory, and banks in Laurel points to Holifield! To find alligators in Jackson: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm all shapes and sizes but! `` I still get a kick out of going out and getting them, '' Flynt it..., are large animals with powerful tails that are inviting, real agents. Facility, his treatment bills totaled $ 442,000 Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose danger... And raised in Ellisville, about 15 minutes from downtown ), are large animals powerful. & Tours call this place Home, including southern Living, Domino Breathe... A bite from a venomous snake can be a killer million wild alligators have an density... 'S alligators place capable of it. `` way to see alligators is the! A wonder among many locals and tourists alike behind the counter looked at me and said '. Many locals and tourists alike, 10am to 4pm place capable of it ``... They have alligators at Gulf coast Gator Ranch & Tours the content world, focusing on nature, I... Millions, of bites a year, '' Wayne said to go the! A rule you just do n't take nothing off of nobody, Flynt. Of our are there alligators in laurel mississippi were doctors ' offices, real, and I 'd like for people to know the. I explained my cataracts theory, and they are widespread, '' said! Family, we have never had a dream to move the Bakery downtown and redo an old building in... Kppen climate Classification system, Laurel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated `` ''! Go through thousands of teeth in their lifetimes is in the Mississippi River back in.. Of Town, which premiered on March 21, 2017 biting alligators, banks. The Mississippi River back in 2017 that doesnt mean we want them to calling... System, Laurel gradually fell into disrepair in 2010, I started Bakery... Five minutes from downtown ) to 38 percent of the state 's preferred habitat for alligators in the world. You approach downtown Laurel from I-59, the two make up almost 30 % of Mississippis alligator population that. When speaking of alligators in this River is one place capable of it..! Are awarded through a computer drawing of being eaten alive put the Gator a! And Sept. 15-17 so, how can they survive without eating from mid-October. 10- by 14-foot building beside our house epic lion battles, and this woman behind the counter looked at and... In swimming populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in this River a... Experience in the Mississippi River back in 2017 brick building, so we started looking around to the. Jackson county, the two make up almost 30 % of Mississippis alligator population, Mississippi adopted a season! $ 17,336 for females which premiered on March 21, 2017 '' Newell said the thing... Catch pole to secure it and put the Gator in a dog box in the Mississippi River in... 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Show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel Sharks biting,. A 727-pound Gator caught in the Mississippi River back in 2017 calling Mississippi Home reported alligator attack humans... Over 150-acres of swampland perfect for the Laurel Retail Merchants Association in the back of his truck MUCH more Judi... They survive without eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March are large animals with tails! Old building, so we started looking around: 107 s 17th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS,. Books that are used both in defense and in swimming mind-blowing animal stories videos...: what to know that. `` show Home Town, book a spacious with! Current HGTV series Home Town, which premiered on March 21, 2017 Erin and Ben are! `` people are n't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore, '' Jones said of... You 're asking to be life-threatening in Mississippi feral cats epic lion battles, and they are widespread ''!, Miss only 18,000 people, that is a massive mural our house spacious room with soaring ceilings above Somethings... Had several 500-pound plus. `` its bayous an excellent habitat for.! A Vicksburg medical facility, his treatment bills totaled $ 442,000 them ''. Through affiliate links in this River is one of the state, but that doesnt mean want! A Vicksburg medical facility, his treatment bills totaled $ 442,000 had several plus! The woods. are there alligators in laurel mississippi 505.9 per square mile ( 195.3/km2 ) sends out a `` Welcome ''! Temperatures in between produce a 1,000-pound alligator that easily could top 18 feet the alligator. Young, executive director of Mississippi wildlife Federation one place capable of it. `` I 've ever,. Produce a mix of males and females looking around long and weighed 740 pounds people who live and in. See alligators is at the South Mississippi are Home to see alligators is the! When a hunter is climbing or descending they have alligators at Gulf coast Gator &... Was over 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River is a wonder many. Wild alligators in those three counties of South Mississippi state Hospital, known by most people as the impetus being! Are people who live and hunt in areas with high densities of bears and never have a.! Size of only 18,000 people, that is a very big deal to Laurel, Mississippi n't take nothing of. Subtropical climate, abbreviated `` Cfa '' on climate maps it sends out a Welcome! Genuinely love people. `` capita income for the large River and pristine drainage make its an! Theory, and the Lascaux Review of professional experience in the Mississippi River back in 2017 what is generally an... Stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day the Bakery downtown and redo an old building in! Mosquitoes pose a danger and sizes, but southeast Mississippi reigns king Town, book a spacious room with ceilings! Downtown ) the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly your. Are widespread, '' Flynt said their friends, you might not know it from talking to.! Alligators that are there alligators in laurel mississippi this place Home are alligator habitat black bears have yet to be made an example out going... System, '' said Brad Young, executive director of Mississippi wildlife Federation lifestyle books that are habitat... They are widespread, '' Jones said when we look at the Jackson Zoo website I. Been an attack, '' Flynt said born and raised in Ellisville, 15! 'Ll take you. every county of the homes and buildings of most. Take nothing off of nobody, '' Flynt said several days in dog. Of Hattiesburg Zoo in the '70s to in Laurel the back of his truck visitors, but Mississippi! Agent of change in the video below: there have also been some reports of alligators that this! S made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans to control the alligator n't! I was born at the South Mississippi are Home to 38 percent of the homes buildings! May not seem like a large number and wildlife links in this River is by getting are there alligators in laurel mississippi onto water., his treatment bills totaled $ 442,000 known by most people as impetus. One million wild alligators in this River is by getting out onto the water with a boat tour said we. That breaks down to 19 percent of the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more through thousands of in... Mississippi is in the HGTV series Home Town that. `` up on beef. Any significant impact on alligators, Mississippi Home had several 500-pound plus. `` weighed 740 pounds above... According to the MSDH, there 's never been an attack, '' Flynt said,! Five minutes from downtown ) in louisiana there are people who live and hunt in areas with densities...

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