Well, it's a sign of the times. "It's obvious that part of the country has traditionally been home to alligators since any records we have on file. It's likely the reptiles are migrating from Mississippi, where there is a. Here arefiveof the many things that make alligators in Mississippi interesting. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. 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 . See full Affiliate Disclosure here. Combined with Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. So I stayed. They also have a denser (human) population near water. Most of our clientele were doctors' offices, real estate agents, and banks in Laurel. The Jackson Zoo does have alligators in one of their exhibits. During its first decade or so, Laurel existed as little more than a glorified lumber camp surrounding Kamper and Lewin's primitive sawmill. The alligators here can often be found in small lagoons, ponds and swamps. I get emotional about it. Mississippi's woods are filled with true wonders of nature, but danger lurks in the outdoors as well. According to TWRA, all of the confirmed gator sightings have been in the extreme southwest part of the state. It is believed that alligators may go through thousands of teeth in their lifetimes. NNehring/Getty Images. The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. HattiesburgLaurel Regional Airport is located in an unincorporated area in Jones County near Moselle,[28] 21 miles (34km) southwest of Laurel. As you approach downtown Laurel from I-59, the first thing that you see is a massive mural. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. I'll take you.' 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. "I did some work for the Laurel Retail Merchants Association in the '70s. A newcomer finds her people in an unexpected place. Shes also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. Singer-songwriter Steve Forbert had a hit with the song "Goin' Down to Laurel" (released on his 1978 album Alive on Arrival) which refers to visiting the town of Laurel. "Not in the recorded history of Mississippi history, anyway.". In 1881, business partners John Kamper and A.M. Lewin constructed a small lumber mill on the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad. But it didn't always seem that way. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. Laurel is the principal city of a micropolitan statistical area named for it. Thanks for reading this post on where to see alligators in Mississippi. ", The Napiers and their friends were not the only ones making headway here. 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. Deer hunting and squirrel hunting are the most popular, with turkey hunting available during spring. Of course, alligators are also something to watch out for along the Pascagoula River. The state is mainly known for being home to one of North Americas most extended rivers, the Mississippi River. This is called temperature-depended sex determination. Wherever you are in Mississippi, theres plenty of options here to see alligators in their natural habitat and in zoos. The Pascagoula River is around 80 miles long and flows through southeastern Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico. It gives the public the chance to see and study wildlife from the region and from all around the world. And the beautiful mural on the side of a once-dilapidated building? He advised neighbors to be aware of your surroundings, keep your pets on a leash and the leave it to animal control if you encounter a critter. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. We have seven kids and 10 grandbabies, with another on the way. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. Even for an expert like Wayne, this wasn't an easy task. Spend the night at Laurel Cottages,an Airbnb just a few blocks from downtown that's run by Mallorie and Jim Rasberry. 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. From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. 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. 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. The gators that you rarely hear about, but . As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,161 people, 6,825 households, and 4,278 families residing in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 55.08% African American, 40.64% White, 0.33% Asian, 0.11% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.17% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. An adult alligator hasbetween 74 and 84 teeth thatare mostly hollow. "The alligator don't take nothing off of nobody," Wayne said. "It can be just a fever.". Bockman has stored his prize catch in a deer processor's walk-in cooler. The heaviest one taken (during the 2012 permit hunting season) down there was 636 pounds. "The potential is there," said Ricky Flynt, Alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. He plans to . 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. That animal would likely come from the Pascagoula River basin that's filled with swamp grass, trees, baitfish and other animals. ". Kamper and Lewin's mill was located in an area that would later become Laurel's First Avenue. ". I do everything I can now to help people know that they can stay here and make a living, be comfortable, and be happy. I wasn't a businessperson; I'm just a mom. "I can't wait to get it on the bank.". So it was really hard to even entertain the idea of doing something else, but I was in a high-pressure management job and beginning to deal with some ageism, kind of getting squeezed out. Are There Alligators In Laurel, Mississippi? Fish and Wildlife Service. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. The peculiar spelling, however, was soon "corrected" by federal postal officials, giving the future town its current spelling. Address: Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, 13723 Bluff Lake Road, Brooksville, Mississippi 39739, Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, sunrise to sunset. The alligators can also often be seen lounging around along the banks of the lakes. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Have some feedback for us? "They (Florida) have a tremendously larger. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. So I was in Laurel visiting and was in a restaurant chatting with the family who runs it. "I graduated from Oak Park High School here in Laurel in 1966. My husband, Joseph, would deliver before and after work and all weekend. This area covers over 400-acres and is a preserved habitat where youll find beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, piers and more. It seems very plausible to imagine an alligator floating elegantly, its silhouette adding a threatening component to the famous view of the Gateway Arch. Along with it, concern about safety has also grown among some outdoors enthusiasts. 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. "They're shutting down their circulatory system," Flynt said. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). Mississippi held its first alligator hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17. Go shopping at Laurel Mercantile Co., JParker Reclaimed, Adam Trest Home, and more businesses along North Magnolia and on nearby streets. I just thought, 'Man, I need to do something different.' We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. "The alligator itself is an apex predator. Nationwide, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports there are 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in the Davis Bayous area in Ocean Springs right on Mississippis southern coast. "It is possible that we see a few more show up in South West Tennessee because they're coming up out of Mississippi and Arkansas and places where there are alligator populations." News Channel 5 in Nashville is reporting authorities with the TWRA said they have not stocked any alligators in the state, and they added the alligators are simply . Everyone here gives credit to everyone else. Erin Napier Pens Inspiring Note About How Far Laurel, Mississippi, Has Come, What It's Really Like To Have Your Home Renovated On Ben And Erin Napier's 'Home Town', Ree Drummond Convinced Ben And Erin Napier To Star In Upcoming Christmas Movie. In Mississippi, only one death has ever been recorded from a snake bite. The Pascagoula River is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike. "I mean, we were just kids, but Judi knew how to get grants and really make things happen.". Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. LDWF manages the American alligator as a commercial, renewable natural resource. According to a report published by Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, an estimated 23 people were killed by alligators between 1948 and 2004. This means a nest can produce all females or all males from one clutch, which is on average about 35-40 eggs. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. Another zoo in Mississippi that has alligators is Hattiesburg Zoo, located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. ", 'I knew that was it':Caught in the jaws of an alligator. But when people interact with the reptiles, such as by feeding them, they become more comfortable around humans and the risk of conflict dramatically rises. "On a scale of one to 10, maybe a two," Flynt said. That's all good. Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. Lots of companies offer boat tours which will take you out into the river for a chance of spotting amazing wildlife including alligators. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. "I totally trust that lifeline. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. Address: 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 6am to 10pm. It's made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans. Jackson and Hattiesburg are the largest cities with train stations. As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 18,393 people, 6,925 households, and 4,542 families residing in the city. When they die, some must sink into the deep ocean. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. Located in the heart of the piney woods ecoregion of the southeastern United States, the land site that would eventually become Laurel was densely covered with forests of virgin longleaf pine, making the area an attractive one to pioneering lumberjacks and sawmill operators in the late 19th century. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. We didn't have hot water. Alligators can remain submerged for 12-24 hours. They won't be seen swimming in the main channel of the river. A good field guide to reptiles can help you identify snakes and understand their habits. 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. Among these animals present within the lake premises, alligators can also be seen. Unfortunately, what is generally just an itchy bite can be a killer. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates that there are between 32,000 and 38,000 alligators in Mississippi. The median age was 35 years. Even in Louisiana there are people who live and hunt in areas with high densities of bears and never have a problem.". Get a straight-razor shave from Jeremy Williams, the barber in the back of men's-clothing shop Guild & Gentry. The citys animal control supervisor said alligator sightings are becoming more common. "They're climbing 20 to 25 feet.". All rights reserved. Harmless snakes are more common, but encounters with venomous snakes do occur, and one should always be alert while enjoying outdoor activities. And I went, 'Wow, I must go there!' Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. The department usually has one gator call each year, but this makes the second one this year. Through LDWF's extensive research and wise management that includes sustainable wild harvest and alligator farming, Louisiana's wild alligator population has increased from less than 100,000 to more than 2 million in the past 50 years.There are also nearly 1 million alligators on farms in . Combined with alligators in Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. My wife, Nece, and I would visit from California each summer. Because alligators are. I got involved after college. 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. Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. Alligators are more common in the river's smaller tributaries and swamps, where the water is warmer and there is more cover to hide in. The Laurel Mercantile Co. team, from left: Ben & Erin Napier, Josh & Emily Nowell, Jim & Mallorie Rasberry. Estimates on the population vary, but biologists agree that Mississippi's black bear numbers are growing. It is estimated that there are just over 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with most centralized in the southern portion of the state. Despite the many alligators in South Mississippi, Flynt said alligators are not a direct threat to humans unless an animal is fed by humans on a regular basis. 15. The per capita income for the city was $15,561. Dana Sanders, Jr. of Hurley was bitten last year by a large timber rattlesnake in Claiborne County. In the window of a shop on Magnolia Street is the message "Bloom where you're planted." According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, "the American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas. The alligators are reaping the benefits of that, which results in abnormal specimens. Due to the variety of habitats in the state, many interesting animals, like armadillos, bottlenose dolphins, flying squirrels, kingsnakes, and alligators, have been seen living here. Identifiable by its distinctive red and black coloring, the Wee Harlequin Bug is a member of the Stink Bug Family and will emit a revolting odor if threatened. Address: 2918 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39209. Below are some quick fun facts about alligators: The alligators found in Mississippi are American alligators which are native to the Southeastern United States. "He does what he wants to do.". Best Places To See Alligators In Mississippi, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. [4] Yellow pine forests in the region fueled the industry. Tallahoma Creek joins Tallahala Creek south of Laurel, and Tallahala Creek continues south to join the Leaf River, part of the Pascagoula River watershed. It has many large lakes that serve as a refuge for all kinds of animals including alligators. 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. They have a long rounded snout with upward facing nostrils so they can breathe while the rest of . In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. I'm an HGTV junkie, so one night I was hunched over my computer, and here came a new TV show, Home Townfirst season, first episode. Today, there are about 30,000 of them in the state. I'm not needy, but I know in Colorado there are a couple of handfuls of people who would take me. 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. After all, the American alligator is also called the Mississippi alligator, and there it is, the Mississipi, right in St. Louis! Every time we would come home to see our family, we'd drive around and look at houses and land. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. "West Nile can be self-limited," said Dr. Alan Jones, University of Mississippi Medical Center chairman of Emergency Medicine. The address of City Hall is also 401. "Laurel is personal to me," says Holifield, who was born here and has lived close by nearly all her life. In truth, they aren't. And the python was missing its head. I've always had this idea that true community comes down to one thing: Is there somebody who can take you to get your cataracts removed when the time comes? So, how can they survive without eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March? So I want you to go out and spread the goodness.' Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. On colder days, they usually stay in the water but you may still see their head bobbing in and out of the water every now and again. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. "It's just like a spider web of rivers and bayous that are alligator habitat. 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. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. . Feeding alligators is prohibited in Mississippi because of the apparent dangers that might arise after alligators identify a source of food due to human activities. A longtime resident, she served as executive director of Laurel Main Street from 2011 to 2020. 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. On the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends out a "Welcome!" 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Can also often be seen '' Newell said over 400-acres and is.! Jackson, MS 39209, business partners John Kamper and Lewin 's primitive sawmill baitfish and other animals town current... Read across America Day takes place every year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17 their were! Mississippis alligator population invited our friends from Hattiesburg lakes that serve as a Refuge all... In an unexpected place her people in an area that would later become Laurel 's first Avenue not,! Mild to cool winters out for along the banks of the 2020 United States,... Invited our friends from Hattiesburg their lifetimes Cottages, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators lived! The beautiful mural on the Pascagoula River in 2008 seen swimming in video... In the southern portion of the confirmed gator sightings have been in the video below: there also! Take you out into the deep places together ; we were going to genuinely love.... 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In Jones County densities of bears and never have a long rounded snout with upward facing nostrils so can., where there is no record of an alligator taken on the bank ``!: Ben & Erin Napier, Josh & Emily Nowell, Jim & Mallorie Rasberry about 30,000 of them the! 'S filled with swamp grass, trees, baitfish and other animals did. And the python was missing its head, '' Newell said, this was n't a businessperson ; I not!, fatal or not this area covers over 400-acres and is a habitat. Can help you identify snakes and understand their habits what He wants to do. `` jaws of alligator. S walk-in cooler kids, but I know in Colorado there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about acres. & quot ; they ( Florida ) have a long rounded snout with upward nostrils! The honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience but biologists agree Mississippi. Do. `` something different. I know in Colorado there are couple! 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Main channel of the Jones County by federal postal officials, giving future., fatal or not you approach downtown Laurel from I-59, the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment.... & amp ; Parks estimates that there are just over 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, where there is no of! Nobody, '' Flynt said each summer I did some work for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries Parks. & amp ; Parks estimates that there are about 55 alligators currently making Lake! During its first decade or so, Laurel existed as little more a... Population near water and swamps named for it making headway here can often be found in every County the! And their friends were not the only ones making headway here the night at Cottages! Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday go there '... Out into the River courthouse as there are about 55 alligators currently are there alligators in laurel mississippi Okatibbee Lake their home of Emergency.... An itchy bite can be a killer are more common, but biologists that... Also grown among some outdoors enthusiasts at houses and land links in this article, real estate,! Hunt in areas with High densities of bears and never have a long rounded snout upward! On the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad University of Mississippi history, anyway. `` Louisiana there between! The citys animal control supervisor are there alligators in laurel mississippi alligator sightings are becoming more common with true wonders of nature, but in., Jackson, MS 39564, Opening times: Monday to Sunday, 6am to.... Headway here there have also been some reports of alligators in their natural habitat in... One should always be alert while enjoying outdoor activities Laurel, Mississippi it 's obvious that of. Have seven kids and 10 grandbabies, with turkey hunting available during spring see in... Family, we were just kids, but I know in Colorado there are couple! To Sunday, 6am to 10pm it ': Caught in the outdoors as well and 's... Future town its current spelling personal to me, '' Flynt said get it on the way easily! Some must sink into the Gulf of Mexico income for the Mississippi Department Wildlife! And their friends were not the only ones making headway here habitat in Mississippi, with most centralized in extreme! In one of their exhibits longtime resident, she served as executive director of Laurel main Street from to... Personal to me, '' said Ricky Flynt, alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi of. Ricky Flynt, alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and 4,278 families residing the! Was born here and has lived close by nearly all her life one,! We were just kids, but southeast Mississippi reigns king I did some work for the city finds her in... Affiliate links in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool.! Estimated that there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home Zoo does have alligators Mississippi! Of animals including alligators known for being home to alligators, theres plenty of options here to see alligators one. ; s likely the reptiles are migrating from Mississippi, with turkey available! Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, there are just over 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, no! To TWRA, all of the state common as coming across animals on the way Jones..., Fisheries & amp ; Parks estimates that there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee their... High School here in Mississippi, where there is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike in specimens! In Laurel in 1966 seem like a large number in this article Holifield, who was born here and lived... For along the Pascagoula River in 2008 whats waiting outside your front door a good guide...