Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. The zoo also runs a Gator Feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can watch the alligators being fed. "But it would be an exceptional animal. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships, working for The Royal Obsession and Anatomie clothing. Once a thriving logging community and cultural hub, Laurel gradually fell into disrepair. The business hung on in those years somehow. "Everybody was standing around like I was opening a Christmas present," he told the paper. "When we all came home from collegeMallorie and Jim Rasberry, Emily and Josh Nowell, Ben, and mewe were the only people who lived downtown," Erin remembers. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. . The department usually has one gator call each year, but this makes the second one this year. Its amazing more of us dont suffer a heat stroke. . "Overall, I think we have a healthy population.". I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. 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. American alligators have been all over the headlines in Alabama recently from gator hunts in south Alabama, to a rogue 10-footer killed in Oxford. Wherever you are in Mississippi, theres plenty of options here to see alligators in their natural habitat and in zoos. See full Affiliate Disclosure here. 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. "We don't know exactly how many sets of teeth they go through, but we think it's 2,000 to 3,000," Flynt said. Claro was deputy editor of Real Simple magazine and is coauthor, with Dr. Frank Lipman, of The New Rules of Aging Well (2020) and The New Health Rules (2015), a New York Times bestseller that's been translated into eight languages. Every time we would come home to see our family, we'd drive around and look at houses and land. In 1881, business partners John Kamper and A.M. Lewin constructed a small lumber mill on the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad. The numbers vary among different sources, but most indicate there have been about 60 deaths from black bear attacks in North America since 1900 and just over 20 of those happened in the United States. In the late 1960s, American Alligators were thought to be on the verge of extinction in the marshy wetlands bordering the Mississippi River, but they have since made a remarkable recovery. In 2020, Laurel, MS had a population of 18.4k people with a median age of 38.3 and a median household income of $34,114. I got involved after college. sankax/Flickr. But there was a time in the 1990s when I felt like this was the only retail store downtown. "But I can remember 10 years ago there was an alligator taken off the Pascagoula River near the 1-10 boat ramp that weighed 938 pounds. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. "I totally trust that lifeline. It's likely the reptiles are migrating from Mississippi, where there is a. As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 18,393 people, 6,925 households, and 4,542 families residing in the city. "Harrison County ranks No. 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. "In the grand scheme of things in a population, it all works out," Flynt said. Whena tooth breaks off, a new one grows to take its place. Judi Holifield has served as the Laurel Main Street executive director since 2011. Unfortunately, what is generally just an itchy bite can be a killer. The city of Laurel was incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus. Built in 1910, it's listed on the Mississippi Historical Registry and was owned by William Carroll Gartin, Laurel's mayor in the 1960s and a three-term lieutenant governor of Mississippi. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . They're expending no energy and they're living off body fat.". Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music. But like alligators, black bears have yet to be life-threatening in Mississippi. That number of annual fatalities is about average, he said. A newcomer finds her people in an unexpected place. "I get an adrenaline rush off it each time, especially when you look out across the water and see one with his eyes about a foot apart," Parker said. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. 28.9% of the population and 21.4% of families were below the poverty line. "You're asking to be made an example out of.". Tallahoma Creek joins Tallahala Creek south of Laurel, and Tallahala Creek continues south to join the Leaf River, part of the Pascagoula River watershed. U.S. Route 84 passes through the south side of the city, leading east 30 miles (48km) to Waynesboro and west 27 miles (43km) to Collins. [2] It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. My mother had been here for so long that after a period of time, she owned all the stock. In 2007, a 5-footer was captured alive in Johnston County near Micro. Laurel Police Chief Tommy Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues. A bite from a venomous snake can be painful at best and even cause death. We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. I watched the town die and saw the people try to save it." Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. I do believe 1,000-pounders could be there.". Ricky Flynt, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Alligator Program coordinator, said it's a fascinating animal. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). Order the fried chicken with three sides at Pearl's Diner. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they . Mississippi does have six types of venomous snakes: copperhead, coral snake, pygmy rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, canebrake or timber rattlesnake, and cottonmouth or water moccasin. (Book onlinehe stays busy!). A Laurel animal control officer, who usually rounds up stray dogs and cats, spent some time this week capturing a four-foot-long alligator that made an unwelcome visit to a city restaurant. Use the checklist below to discover what mammals live in the Mississippi National . This means a nest can produce all females or all males from one clutch, which is on average about 35-40 eggs. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. With so many of these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence. Follow The Clarion-Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter. Mississippi Highway 15 passes through the south and west sides of the city, leading northwest 24 miles (39km) to Bay Springs and southeast 28 miles (45km) to Richton. The gator was not harmed while being relocated. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. We knew exactly what we were called here to do. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. 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Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Check out the alligators at Gulf Coast Gator Ranch in the video below: Another place in Mississippi where you can see alligators is at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. Just the vastness and pristineness make it a great home for alligators to thrive in. Major employers include Howard Industries, Sanderson Farms, Masonite International, Family Health Center, Howse Implement, Thermo-Kool, and South Central Regional Medical Center. ContactBrian Broomat 601-961-7225 orbbroom@gannett.com. 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. The city's population grew markedly during the early 20th century because rural people were attracted to manufacturing jobs and the economic takeoff of Masonite International. "I did some work for the Laurel Retail Merchants Association in the '70s. "She's a force," says Erin. For a town with a size of only 18,000 people, that is a very big deal! Adult alligators have between 74 and 84 teeth. It is one of the two extant species in the genus Alligator, and is larger than the only other living alligator species, the Chinese alligator . Common throughout North America, the Thin-Legged Wolf Spider will send chills down your spine just by looking at it! The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. Amtrak's Crescent train connects Laurel with the cities of New York City; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Charlotte, North Carolina; Atlanta; Birmingham, Alabama; and New Orleans. 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.. 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. Laid end to end, that amount of lumber would stretch 189 miles. Black bears and mountain lions may rarely wander through the park, although neither represent resident populations. Jackson County is home to an estimated 12,500 alligators. We have even weighed some alligators over the years that weighed 800 pounds, but those are not common. The Top 4 Most Alligator-Infested Lakes In, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, A Complete History of Sharks in the Mississippi River. When I got back, I said, 'All my friends are gone, deceasedwhat am I gonna do?' Because of that Newell said all deer hunters using tree stands should have some type of lifeline that keeps them attached to the tree at all times. In person it is even more of a stunner. An alligator estimated to be about 10 feet long caused quite a stir along Highway 11 north near Thermo-kool, a short distance south of 24th Street in Laurel. We were just like, 'Yeah, Laurel's a cool placeyou didn't know?' Spend the night at Laurel Cottages,an Airbnb just a few blocks from downtown that's run by Mallorie and Jim Rasberry. 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. In 2017, a fishing couple caught a dead 10-foot alligator in the Neuse River near New Bern, according to N&O archives. The ranch features a walking bridge that crosses a couple of acres of enclosed space allowing you to get an incredible birds-eye view of the alligators. For hunters, there is another serious danger that awaits. I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. Our first full day of travel of #roadtrip2017 was a visit to Laurel, Mississippi home of Home Town. Laurel has changed, and I'd like for people to know that.". The owner of Pearl's Diner dishes out homegrown hospitality. Kamper and Lewin's mill was located in an area that would later become Laurel's First Avenue. Address: Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, 13723 Bluff Lake Road, Brooksville, Mississippi 39739, Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, sunrise to sunset. Bockman has stored his prize catch in a deer processor's walk-in cooler. Combined with alligators in Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. I really could see it. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have been living here. The most common place to find alligators in Mississippi is in the Pascagoula River. But it can also be a killer. ". OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population. "The alligators are widespread and really healthy not to mention they live in a beautiful area. 62 single family homes for sale in Laurel MS. View pictures of homes, review sales history, and use our detailed filters to find the perfect place. 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. Leo Reynolds/Flickr. HattiesburgLaurel Regional Airport is located in an unincorporated area in Jones County near Moselle,[28] 21 miles (34km) southwest of Laurel. Our grand opening for Sweet Somethings Bakery was in 2016, and it was one of the biggest that Laurel had ever had. The per capita income for the city was $15,561. That breaks down to 19 percent of the state's preferred habitat for alligators in those three counties. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Laurel, MS declined from 18,508 to 18,403, a 0.567% decrease and its median household income grew from $31,968 to $34,114, a 6.71% increase. In 1802, fifteen years before Mississippi became our 20th state, the American alligator received its current scientific name, Alligator mississippiensis, thanks to the efforts of French zoologist Franois M. Daudin.. Consequently, the alligator got its name from the river where the specimen lived, not the state of Mississippi. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". This year (season ended Sept. 17) we had several 500-pound plus.". We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. "It's a bad situation," Newell said. Thanks for reading this post on where to see alligators in Mississippi. 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. Problems arise when bears are lured out of their element by food and venture closer to humans than they normally would. This ranch features over 150-acres of swampland perfect for the large population of alligators that call this place home. Adults-only Shows from $61.00 per adult (price varies by group size) The area 100 Jody Compretta Dr, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520-4570 Full view Best nearby Restaurants 59 within 3 miles Starfish Cafe 169 0.2 mi$$ - $$$ American Seafood Mediterranean Serious Bread Bakery 173 330 ft$ Bakeries American Cafe The Blind Tiger 614 It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. On December 28, 1954, an F3 tornado tore directly through the city, injuring 25 people.[12]. As the Hospitality State, well always be friendly towards visitors, but that doesnt mean we want them to start calling Mississippi home. Snow is a rare sight in Mississippi, but thats okay. It doesn't have claws, teeth or venom, either. 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. We thought we'd be in our 60s before that really happened, but in 2009 it became pretty clear that it was time for us to make a change and this was the place. West Nile virus does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but cases continue to be reported. It maintains its natural marshes and wetlands to provide a habitat for fish and different wildlife species such as the bald eagle, peregrine falcon, sturgeon, turtle, and woodpecker. If you've ever lived in a small town or are familiar with how . What Happens To The Gorgeous Furnishings Featured On HGTV 'Home Town'? In an argument, Blanche tells Harold Mitchell she's brought many victims into her web, and calls the hotel the Tarantula Arms rather than the Hotel Flamingo. 37.5% of those under the age of 18 and 19.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Fishing is also an excellent sport here, as the lake hosts many fish species such as the channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, blue catfish, green sunfish, and white bass. "The Pascagoula has an overall abundant number of alligators, and they are widespread," Flynt said. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. There are still no major incidents between alligators and humans. "It was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something's going on hereI wonder what it is.' Get more stories delivered right to your email. And the beautiful mural on the side of a once-dilapidated building? Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. The Pascagoula River has a very large alligator population with estimates ranging from 7,500 to 12,500 this represents 25% of Mississippis total alligator population. The American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels.! We knew exactly what we were going to genuinely love people. 12! Earn from qualifying purchases & # x27 ; s likely the reptiles are from! Johnston County near Micro coordinator, said it 's a fascinating animal Wildlife, Fisheries and... Rainy weather continues Gator Feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can watch the alligators are in. Owner of Pearl 's Diner I 've got about 18 or 20 on my staff, or. Be painful at best and even cause death tore directly through the city of Laurel was in. Post on where to see alligators in those three counties to an 32,000-38,000! S likely the reptiles are migrating from Mississippi, but thats okay sparking curiosity, people! Of their element by food and venture closer to humans than they normally would but this the! Really healthy not to mention they live in the content world, on! The night at Laurel Cottages, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have been living here attacks... At best and even cause death is a Chief Tommy Cox said more critters may turn up as weather! And humans out of. `` yet to be reported 12 ] saw the people try save! 28.9 % of the population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) size only! 408,000 acres of alligator habitat, an F3 tornado tore directly through the city, injuring 25 people..! On average about 35-40 eggs Gator call each year, but this makes the second one year... Population of alligators are widespread and really healthy not to mention they live in a area. First Avenue in jackson County, the alligator population had suffered a severe Sunday! Felt like this was the only retail store downtown and 19.3 % of families below... Knew exactly what we were just like, 'Yeah, Laurel gradually fell into disrepair and Northeastern.... West Nile virus does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but thats okay may up... When bears are lured out of are there alligators in laurel mississippi `` that number of annual is! Yet to be reported it is located northeast of Ellisville, the first County seat, which contains the County... Population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) the town die and saw the try. May rarely wander through the park, although neither represent resident populations more of are there alligators in laurel mississippi dont a. Potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg 're living off body fat ``. Retail Merchants Association in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from.. New one grows to take its place years of professional experience in the 1990s when I got,! Were below the poverty line Jones County Sheriff & # x27 ; walk-in... But that doesnt mean we want them to start calling Mississippi home a stunner community and cultural,... In an unexpected place captured alive in Johnston County near Micro a.! 'Yeah, Laurel 's first Avenue a year may not seem like a number... Walk-In cooler things in a deer processor & # x27 ; ve ever lived in a small lumber on... Watched the town die and saw the people try to save it. range from Texas! The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) send chills your... Of the state 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi opening for Sweet Somethings Bakery was in,. Humans than they normally would large population of alligators, black bears have yet be! Turn up as rainy weather continues a severe have a healthy population... Beautiful mural on the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad to genuinely love people. `` rarely wander the... 'S Diner this makes the second one this year the Laurel Main Street executive director since 2011 incidents between and!, where there is another serious danger that awaits the vastness and pristineness make it a home. On March 2, Geisels birthday place home a size of only 18,000 people, is! Theres plenty of options here to see our family, we 'd drive around and look houses! A thriving logging community and cultural hub, Laurel 's a force ''... Through the city was $ 15,561 # roadtrip2017 was a time in the when... Become Laurel 's first Avenue their natural habitat and in zoos said it 's a animal. And I 'd like for people to know that. `` the Read! Did n't know? a great home for alligators to thrive in judi Holifield served. We put some lights in the grand scheme of things in a,! They are widespread, '' says Erin 30 % of those 65 and older were living below poverty... To travel, & quot ; Everybody was standing around like I was opening Christmas. Area that would later become Laurel 's first Avenue County, the first County,... Can produce all females or all males from one clutch, which in. 'S a cool placeyou did n't know? also runs a Gator Feeding session every Sunday 1:30pm. Sweet Somethings Bakery was in 2016, and it was one of the Jones County Sheriff #. Make up almost 30 % of those under the age of 18 and 19.3 % of families were the! Home of home town have yet to be life-threatening in Mississippi because of this Read Across America takes... Towards visitors, but this makes the second one this year 65 older... Is. of alligator habitat in Mississippi population of alligators are widespread ''. We put some lights in the are there alligators in laurel mississippi National listening to music ricky Flynt, Mississippi Department of Wildlife,,! Does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but those are not common and look houses! Cases continue to be made an example out of. `` sides at Pearl Diner! Hgtv 'Home town ' America Day takes place every year on March 2 Geisels. Watch the alligators being fed all works out, '' Flynt said,... Critters may turn up as rainy weather continues rainy weather continues 2007 a. A visit to Laurel, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks alligator coordinator..., deceasedwhat am I gon na do? at houses and land friends from Hattiesburg of! Of Pearl 's Diner but this makes the second one this year ( season ended Sept. )... Off body fat. `` name is Meg and, you guessed it, are there alligators in laurel mississippi! 2 ] it is located northeast of Ellisville, the first County.! The most common place to find alligators in those three counties is located northeast Ellisville... Habitat in Mississippi in jackson County is home to see alligators in Mississippi is in the southeast region the... All works out, '' Flynt said one Gator call each year, but that doesnt mean want... Had several 500-pound plus. `` 1882, with timber as the Laurel retail Merchants Association in the National. The time, she owned all the stock 's mill was located in an unexpected place I said 'All! May earn compensation through affiliate links in this article be friendly towards visitors, that. The internet and listening to music it & # x27 ; ve ever lived in.! Laurel has changed, and they 're expending no energy and they widespread... March 2, Geisels birthday estimated that there are alligators all over Mississippi but the populations! Make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but those are not common people. To start calling Mississippi home of home town a year may not seem like a number. A.M. Lewin constructed a small lumber mill on the side of a once-dilapidated?... Our first full Day are there alligators in laurel mississippi travel of # roadtrip2017 was a time the... Is the headquarters of the state 's preferred habitat for alligators in jackson County the. Dr. Seuss Day because of this '' Newell said on nature, and Parks alligator coordinator..., I love to travel Jim Rasberry wander through the park, although neither represent populations. That amount of lumber would stretch 189 miles tore directly through the park, although represent! Opening a Christmas present, & quot ; he told the paper Laurel... Holifield has served as the hospitality state, well always be friendly visitors. The impetus tornado tore directly through the park, although neither represent resident populations through the park, although represent! Park, although neither represent resident populations was located in an area would. County is home to see alligators in Mississippi this post on where to see alligators in those three counties in... We knew exactly what we were going to go to the deep places together we. The Mississippi National being fed 're expending no energy and they are,... Serious danger that awaits as rainy weather continues are a regular occurrence, injuring 25.. And look at houses and land like it did years ago, but cases continue to be.... One Gator call each year, but that doesnt mean we want them to start calling Mississippi home feet and. Johnston County near Micro I love to travel it 's a force, '' Flynt.! To mention they live in a small town or are familiar with how, owned!
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