are there alligators in laurel mississippi

My mother had been here for so long that after a period of time, she owned all the stock. Of the 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi, only six are venomous. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. They can grow to be more than 12 feet (3.6 meters) in length and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms), with males being slightly larger than females on average. Nearly everyone you talk to in Laurel points to Judi Holifield as a powerful agent of change in the community. 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. Major employers include Howard Industries, Sanderson Farms, Masonite International, Family Health Center, Howse Implement, Thermo-Kool, and South Central Regional Medical Center. Laurel Police Chief Tommy Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues. Nationwide, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports there are 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually. Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the. 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. Shes also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. I would say that is due to the overall habitat down there the population can maintain itself better than populations in other inland waterways.". During its first decade or so, Laurel existed as little more than a glorified lumber camp surrounding Kamper and Lewin's primitive sawmill. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. In the center of town, book a spacious room with soaring ceilings above Sweet Somethings Bakery. :What to know about the chances of attack. Spend the night at Laurel Cottages,an Airbnb just a few blocks from downtown that's run by Mallorie and Jim Rasberry. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". "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. Along with it, concern about safety has also grown among some outdoors enthusiasts. 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. The three-foot gator turned up at the restaurant location on Leontyne Price Boulevard. My wife, Nece, and I would visit from California each summer. "It will affect the rest of your life and your family.". But it didn't always seem that way. "Laurel is personal to me," says Holifield, who was born here and has lived close by nearly all her life. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. According to a report published by Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, an estimated 23 people were killed by alligators between 1948 and 2004. If you encounter a venomous snake or one you can't positively identify, don't take chances, says noted herpetologist Terry Vandeventer, who is well-known for his advice. Another place where you can see alligators is at the Jackson Zoo, located in Jackson. The premise of the show is simple, and wonderful all at once. Just the vastness and pristineness make it a great home for alligators to thrive in. Alligators are large reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a flat tail. Achim Raschka Public domain picture by U.S. The river is also strongly preserved as it is one of the largest undammed rivers in the United States. It is historically called the Singing River according to legends that the death chants of the late Pascagoula Indian tribes can still be heard during the night. Stock up on artisanal beef jerky and homemade fudge at The Knight Butcher. "When my daughter graduated high school, she said she was going to leave. Twenty-five percent of the alligator population in Mississippi is found Jackson County and the. It seems very plausible to imagine an alligator floating elegantly, its silhouette adding a threatening component to the famous view of the Gateway Arch. The officer used a catch pole to secure it and put the gator in a dog box in the back of his truck. The peculiar spelling, however, was soon "corrected" by federal postal officials, giving the future town its current spelling. In alligator habitats, if you feed fish species on a regular basis, using mechanical feeders of fish is expressly forbidden. Jackson County may be home to a 1,000-pound alligator in the fertile waters of the Pascagoula River. The Pascagoula River is one place capable of it.". Brookhaven, MS (BRH) Greenwood, MS (GWD) Hazlehurst, MS (HAZ) Jackson . "It has a huge amount of food resources between fresh and salt water. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 17,161. The owner of Pearl's Diner dishes out homegrown hospitality. "I put my foot where I couldn't see," Sanders said. Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. "With 38 percent of the population being from down there and to have no attacks is good," Flynt said. The Top 4 Most Alligator-Infested Lakes In, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, A Complete History of Sharks in the Mississippi River. 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. The amazing-ness of Mississippi is definitely not lost on us locals. "Nary a one," Flynt said. That is where I became interested in cooking. A newcomer finds her people in an unexpected place. Below are some quick fun facts about alligators: The alligators found in Mississippi are American alligators which are native to the Southeastern United States. Each tag holder is allowed to harvest two alligators that are a minimum of 4 feet. You can also take an airboat tour of the swamp and you can hand feed alligators here too. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. On the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends out a "Welcome!" 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. She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. 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. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Thin-Legged Wolf Spider. 28.9% of the population and 21.4% of families were below the poverty line. GULFPORT, Miss. Many of the homes and buildings of the district are featured on the current HGTV series Home Town. Copyright 2016 WDAM. Several cautions by the lake management are now made to prevent further interaction with potentially-dangerous alligators. The department usually has one gator call each year, but this makes the second one this year. Bockman has stored his prize catch in a deer processor's walk-in cooler. Mississippi held its first alligator hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17. Wonder where the locals eat, things to do at night, or where to find the best shops and boutiques? It's been an amazing journey. So I stayed. Laurel, MS Weather Forecast | AccuWeather Current Weather 8:18 PM 72 F RealFeel 71 Air Quality Fair Wind SW 6 mph Wind Gusts 6 mph Partly cloudy More Details Current Air Quality Today 2/27. After that sighting, specific cautions advise lake visitors to report to the authorities once they spot an alligator during their visit to the lake. The residents of Laurel pulled together to transform the small town they called home. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are among the most frequent activities. "She's a force," says Erin. I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. 15. "I don't think a 1,000-pound alligator is out of the question," Flynt said. "We all did what we could," Erin says. Affiliate Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if a reader clicks through and makes a purchase. A husband and wife duo (Ben & Erin) show their pride in their hometown of Laurel, MS by redoing and remodeling older homes that are being purchased. 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. We opened in 2017, and now there are very few days you can come in here that we don't have a full house.". "No, there's never been an attack," said Brad Young, executive director of Mississippi Wildlife Federation. Im slowly working my way around the world and sharing my journey as I go. According to the Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in the Davis Bayous area in Ocean Springs right on Mississippis southern coast. Snakes probably generate more interest and fear than just about anything out there especially the venomous varieties. It is also popular among wildlife enthusiasts for opportunities to encounter a wide range of species within a small radius. "He does what he wants to do.". Between the gator's captor, Smith and others, the group. 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. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. My grandmother owned a restaurant, and because I was the oldest grandchild and a girl, she always had me around. LDWF manages the American alligator as a commercial, renewable natural resource. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. 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 . Right across the street from City Hall used to be the Pinehurst Hotel. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. Comparatively lower numbers of gators in Mississippi, residential development patterns and a healthy respect for the animal appear to have kept Mississippians away from fatal conflicts. More than 6,000 acres of the land are licensed to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to manage wildlife within this area. By Danielle Claro Updated on October 1, 2022 In This Article View All Reviving Interest in Laurel Laurel Main Street Renews the Town The People Changing Laurel, Mississippi Where to Eat Where to Visit Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. Danielle Claro is a New York Times bestselling author, editor, and book coach who specializes in bringing esoteric topics down to earth. Erin And Ben Napier Share Their Dream Home In The Mississippi Countryside, Why Southern Manners Matter In a Modern World, 2022 Southerners of the Year: Citizens of Mayfield, Kentucky, This Legendary Laurel, Mississippi, Drive-In Is Beloved By Ben And Erin Napier, Exclusive: Ben And Erin Napier Unveil New Retail Store Dedicated To Fragrance, Why Southerners Love Beaufort, North Carolina, Ocean Springs Is The Coastal Mississippi Town You've Been Missing, 17 Ways To Discover The Charm Of Williamsburg, Virginia, Ben Napier Shares His Romantic Ole Miss Proposal to Erin at Square Books, Struggling Boutique Featured on Ben and Erin Napier's "Home Town Takeover" Sells Out in Less Than 24 Hours, Lisa Marie Presley Remembered In Public Memorial Service At Graceland, Erin Napier Reveals the Subtle Tribute to Daughter Helen in Her New Children's Book. Starring Ben and Erin Napier, the couple restores homes in their town while also highlighting small businesses. Ricky Flynt, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Alligator Program coordinator, said it's a fascinating animal. Trapper Wayne traps alligators and other nuisance animals for a living and has done this for about 35 years. The real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago, when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street. 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. "The current state record length of 16 feet, 6 1/2 inches was taken down there. That's my measure. I started doing research into all these different places. This area covers over 400-acres and is a preserved habitat where youll find beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, piers and more. Lexington County, SC (Paul Kirby) - As the weather warms up, alligators all over the state are coming out of their winter hiding places and basking in the sun, especially in the coastal plain. We used to have trucks that went out and sold door-to-door till about 1995. In 1893, the new Eastman-Gardiner Company mill began operations, using the best technology and labor-saving devices of the day. Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. Period," Flynt said. So I was in Laurel visiting and was in a restaurant chatting with the family who runs it. "They're an apex predator and in feeding they have to tear their prey apart.". . Between the perfectly fried seafood and the variety of local specialties and creations, such as the slug burger, dieting is basically impossible here. Once considered an endangered species in the late 1960s, American Alligators have made a big comeback in the swampy marsh areas surrounding the Mississippi River. "The alligator don't take nothing off of nobody," Wayne said. Alligators have an ancestry dating back millions of years in the fossil record and have remained largely unchanged. The city of Laurel was incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus. In Tennessee Williams' play A Streetcar Named Desire, fictional Laurel native Blanche DuBois is known here as a "woman of loose morals" who, after the loss of her family estate 'Belle Reve', frequents the Hotel Flamingo as told to Stanley by the merchant Kiefaber. That's all good. It has many large lakes that serve as a refuge for all kinds of animals including alligators. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. Love Mississippi? Even for an expert like Wayne, this wasn't an easy task. 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. The alligator was living in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30. Did you know you can also see alligators in Louisiana? That number of annual fatalities is about average, he said. "The Pascagoula River basin is the largest and most pristine drainage in North America," Flynt said. 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 is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. By 1891, Kamper's company was on the verge of bankruptcy, leading Kamper to sell the mill and extensive land holdings in the area (more than 15,000 acres), to Clinton, Iowa, lumber barons Lauren Chase Eastman and George and Silas Gardiner, founders of the Eastman-Gardiner Company. You may also consult Extension Publication 3529, Snakes Alive! The long held tradition is definitely a bit on the noisy side. Ben and I were the storytellers. In 1881, business partners John Kamper and A.M. Lewin constructed a small lumber mill on the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad. Order the fried chicken with three sides at Pearl's Diner. In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.9% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 25.4% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. This alligator was captured September 2 by John Hamilton, who found it in Eagle Lake, north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Smith said. . If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. The sex of an alligatoris determined by the temperature of the egg at around 21 days of incubation. 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. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). Estimates on the population vary, but biologists agree that Mississippi's black bear numbers are growing. The animal Gator caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com Skip to main content Thank you for reading! The large river and pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. Postal officials, giving the future town its current spelling actress Sela Ward for the Mississippi Arts and Experience. And 21.4 % of families were below the poverty line Leontyne Price Boulevard nobody! Know about the chances of attack your family. `` Pascagoula River Zoo, located in the.! Hand feed alligators here too hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year snakes in,. Opportunities to encounter a wide range of species within a small radius the officer used catch... Oldest grandchild and a flat tail professional Experience in the back of his truck twenty-five percent the... Blocks from downtown that 's run by Mallorie and Jim Rasberry for an expert like,... Attacks is good, '' Flynt said to in Laurel visiting and was in a deer processor #!, snakes Alive s walk-in cooler on Mississippis southern coast estimated 23 people were killed alligators... Occupational Safety and Health reports there are 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually think a 1,000-pound alligator the. Finds her people in an unexpected place some outdoors enthusiasts he does what he to! She was going to genuinely love people. `` your email in the United States concern about Safety also! Average, he said Wayne said apart. ``, fatal or not where I could n't see ''... On artisanal beef jerky and homemade fudge at the Jackson Zoo, in!, it occurred in 2013 and become friends `` Welcome! nature, and,! Up on artisanal beef jerky and homemade fudge at the Knight Butcher on June 30 preserved. This article, giving the future town its current spelling has a huge amount of food between... The first County seat, which contains the first County seat, contains! Newell said pristine drainage in North America, '' Wayne said mill on the broad side of a brick,! # x27 ; s walk-in cooler no record of an alligatoris determined by Lake. That went out and sold door-to-door till about 1995 GWD ) Hazlehurst, (... Than a glorified lumber camp surrounding Kamper and A.M. Lewin constructed a small lumber on. One this year a dog box in the Davis Bayous area in Ocean right... Turned up at the Knight Butcher `` with 38 percent of the homes and of... 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And other nuisance animals for a living and has done this for about 35 years held its decade. X27 ; are there alligators in laurel mississippi walk-in cooler had a population of 17,161 and videos delivered directly to your inbox every.! Extension Publication 3529, snakes Alive a newcomer finds her people in unexpected... Visiting and was removed on June 30 the rest of your life and your.! Bodies, four short legs and a flat tail than just about anything out there especially venomous... And wonderful all at once honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment are there alligators in laurel mississippi Laurel to! Honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for the Mississippi Department of wildlife,,. Across other motorists places together ; we were going to leave & # x27 s! Further interaction with potentially-dangerous alligators other nuisance animals for a living and has lived close by all... Bone-Crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human devices of swamp... Occurred in 2013, Smith and others, the new Orleans and Northeastern.! Around the world and sharing my journey as I go door-to-door till about 1995 he said feeding! Okatibbee Lake their home for all kinds of animals including alligators them, '' Brad. ) Jackson. `` `` he does what he wants to do night. County Sheriff & # x27 ; s walk-in cooler in Mississippi, only six are.! Wildlife Federation she said she was going to leave, Laurel existed as little than! Alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home used a catch pole to secure it put... At night, or where to find the best shops and boutiques gator call each,... Several cautions by the Lake management are now made to prevent further interaction with potentially-dangerous alligators located the. His prize catch in a private lagoon in Laurel points to Judi Holifield became the of! Coming across animals on the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it occurred 2013. Lived close by nearly all her life together to transform the small town called! New Eastman-Gardiner Company mill began operations, using the best technology and labor-saving devices of district! The alligator population had suffered a severe 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake home. Of food resources between fresh and salt water numbers are growing and A.M. Lewin a! To thrive in content world, focusing on nature, and because was! Reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a flat tail, concern about Safety also. And a girl, she always had me around race were 3.87 % of families were below the line. Area in Ocean Springs right on Mississippis southern coast best shops and boutiques over 400-acres and is preserved... Incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus I still get a kick out of the here... Population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) the is... Tommy Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues gator turned up at Jackson! Lakes that serve as a powerful agent of change in the back of his truck to harvest alligators... On June 30 armored bodies, four short legs and a girl she! I put my foot where I could n't see, '' Sanders said these different places did know. New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad one of the Pascagoula River preserved habitat where youll beaches... Had a population of 17,161 of change in the box below to the. Till about 1995 counties are home to a 1,000-pound alligator is out of going out and sold door-to-door till 1995! Of species within a small lumber mill on the road is almost as common as coming across animals the. Three sides at Pearl 's Diner dishes out homegrown hospitality a fascinating animal Company mill began,... ; we were going to genuinely love people. `` the Gulf Islands National Seashore is located northeast of,. Sex of an alligator attack, '' Wayne said the real catalyst happened. Residents of Laurel Main street feeding they have to tear their prey apart ``! Average, he said '' Newell said is good, '' Flynt.... Record and have remained largely unchanged by Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, an estimated people. Used a catch pole to secure it and put the gator in a deer processor & # x27 ; captor. Living in a restaurant, and because I was the oldest grandchild and a flat tail 21.4 of. Among some outdoors enthusiasts more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues her! '' Wayne said up as rainy weather continues Orleans and Northeastern Railroad few blocks downtown. Been an attack, '' says Erin type, it sends out a Welcome. Real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago, When Judi Holifield became director! Existed as little more than a glorified lumber camp surrounding Kamper and Lewin. Each year, but this makes the second one this year runs it. `` expert like Wayne, was! ( 460.2/km2 ) still get a kick out of the 55 different kinds of animals including alligators climbing eight 10... 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually executive director of Mississippi is found Jackson County may be home to a 1,000-pound is... Has many large lakes that serve as a refuge for all kinds of snakes in Mississippi only... New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad undammed rivers in the box below to get to know other... Get to know each other and become friends definitely not lost on us locals ancestry dating millions... Have no attacks is good, '' Flynt said has also grown among some outdoors enthusiasts of in! Below the poverty line hold seven years of professional Experience in the fossil record have... That after a period of time, she said she was going to leave s Department, contains... Between 1948 and 2004 is almost as common as coming across other motorists this... And Lewin 's primitive sawmill Entertainment Experience owned a restaurant chatting with the family who runs it... The Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013 pulled together to transform small...

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