"The alligator itself is an apex predator. When speaking of alligators, Mississippi is one of the most alligator-infested places in the country. Are There Alligators In Mississippi? This is called temperature-depended sex determination. They're also right here in Lexington County around the Congaree River, in small creeks, and even in some private ponds in areas you may not expect. 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. 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. I explained my cataracts theory, and this woman behind the counter looked at me and said, 'I'll take you.' Five years ago, there were maybe four or five businesses represented in our Laurel Main Street meetings. Address: 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 6am to 10pm. In Mississippi, venomous species include the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, coral snake and the most common, the copperhead. (WHLT) An alligator must really love that chicken from Popeyes! Nece and I were supposed to build something that was going to be multiethnic and multi-generational, where the standard was not just being in the same room and tolerating each other. Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the. Ben and I were the storytellers. Many of the homes and buildings of the district are featured on the current HGTV series Home Town. Our grand opening for Sweet Somethings Bakery was in 2016, and it was one of the biggest that Laurel had ever had. With its area spanning ten states, it would be no surprise if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the river. 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. They are very strong and capable.". According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. 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. 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. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have been living here. How many times have you been stuck behind a tractor? There were 7,804 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile (195.3/km2). Well, it's a sign of the times. "The alligator don't take nothing off of nobody," Wayne said. In 1893, the new Eastman-Gardiner Company mill began operations, using the best technology and labor-saving devices of the day. 'You could tell it was bone cracking. You might recognize Erin and her husband, Bentwo of Laurel's biggest championsfrom their HGTV makeover show Home Town. 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. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). 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 . Yes, there are alligators in the Mississippi River and the swampy marshes around it. There was a group of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun . All rights reserved. This year (season ended Sept. 17) we had several 500-pound plus.". Flynt, who has caught and handled alligators for years in his research, said only larger alligators require two hands to hold their jaws closed and that's because the mouths can be too large to grip with a single hand. After all, the American alligator is also called the Mississippi alligator, and there it is, the Mississipi, right in St. Louis! The racial and ethnic composition of the population was 61.3% African-American, 29.8% non-Hispanic white, 7.7% Hispanic or Latino, 0.7% Asian, 0.1% Native American, and 1.0% reporting two or more races.[17]. Wherever you are in Mississippi, theres plenty of options here to see alligators in their natural habitat and in zoos. The river is also strongly preserved as it is one of the largest undammed rivers in the United States. Ricky Flynt, alligator coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said the estimated number of alligators in Hancock County is fewer than 5,000 and in Harrison County the number is fewer than 2,000. Lots of teeth and thousands more where those came from, apex predator capable of taking down anything, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Alligator Program, 'A ferocious predator': Mississippi scientists uncover skeleton of ancient sea dragon, Why supplemental feeding may not have the effect hunters want, Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found in Mississippi, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. With an 11,000-acre total size, Okatibbee Lake is a go-to place for families in Mississippi who want to experience nature, with just a drive away. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. Theres many different places where you can see alligators in Mississippi both in the wild and in zoos. The address of City Hall is also 401. Connect with her on LinkedIn. and signals that you've found the historic district of this small Mississippi town. a 27-year-old who goes by "Boo" and works for a trucking company in Laurel, Miss . Hundreds of animal species are here, yet the most abundant are deer, rabbits, doves, geese, quail, woodcocks, and squirrels. You may also consult Extension Publication 3529, Snakes Alive! The mayor is elected at-large. Even for an expert like Wayne, this wasn't an easy task. 'I was very suspicious':Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found in Mississippi. Laurel is currently declining at a rate of -0.82% annually and its population has decreased by -2.41% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,161 in 2020. I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. In alligator habitats, if you feed fish species on a regular basis, using mechanical feeders of fish is expressly forbidden. Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are among the most frequent activities. On December 28, 1954, an F3 tornado tore directly through the city, injuring 25 people.[12]. 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. This means you wont find many alligators (if any at all) in Tupelo or other northern Mississippi towns. The most common place to find alligators in Mississippi is in the Pascagoula River. 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. Because alligators are. Instead, the state adopted a mandatory online harvest-data collection program in which hunters register the kill and enter the animal's length, sex, location of kill and hours hunted. 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. You might even spot one eating a fish! However, not anyone can trap gators because it is illegal, and a person could get fined up to $10,000. Check out the huge alligator spotted at the refuge in the video below: Another fantastic place in Mississippi where you can see alligators in the wild is at Gulf Islands National Seashore. 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. "It's a bad situation," Newell said. To learn more, explore Mississippi's Amtrak stations below: Mississippi Amtrak Stations City of New Orleans. Alligators can remain submerged for 12-24 hours. 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. Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. Following the 1881 construction of the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad through the area,[3] economic development occurred rapidly. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music. ". Choose from 10 Amtrak station in Mississippi on two routes: City of New Orleans and the Crescent. Whena tooth breaks off, a new one grows to take its place. The location of that shotgun house I grew up in was 401 South Cooks Avenue. Head over to the gator pond, as it is known by locals, to see the alligators! 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. It is also popular among wildlife enthusiasts for opportunities to encounter a wide range of species within a small radius. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. The residents of Laurel pulled together to transform the small town they called home. Not only did Sanders endure pain and several days in a Vicksburg medical facility, his treatment bills totaled $442,000. Reuben Lott actually had 11 Mr. Lott stores around the state, but he had no heirs, so he sold his stores to the employees. Just the vastness and pristineness make it a great home for alligators to thrive in. I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. I kept a journal online, and I mocked up some murals in Photoshop. The coastal area has always been part of their natural range. "With 38 percent of the population being from down there and to have no attacks is good," Flynt said. "I can't wait to get it on the bank.". As of the 2010 census, Laurel had a population of 18,540. Andru1308/Flickr. Trapper Wayne traps alligators and other nuisance animals for a living and has done this for about 35 years. Laurel residents Erin and Ben Napier are featured in the HGTV series Home Town, which premiered on March 21, 2017. There have been several sightings of heavyweight alligators in the river. 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. We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. But it can also be a killer. It seems very plausible to imagine an alligator floating elegantly, its silhouette adding a threatening component to the famous view of the Gateway Arch. Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. Among these animals present within the lake premises, alligators can also be seen. An alligator can close its mouth withpressure of up to 3,000 pounds per square inch, but the mouth of an adult alligator can be held shut with just one hand. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. LAUREL, Miss. 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. In truth, they aren't. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. Today, there are about 30,000 of them in the state. "In fact, we have never had a reported alligator attack on humans in Mississippi. Where to Find Alligators in the Mississippi River Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. The amount of alligator habitat in Mississippi is only a fraction of that in Florida.". Hes keeping a century-old business alive. Wayne, an alligator trapper,said he had to put the alligator down because it was too big to relocate. City officials said restaurant staff noticed the unusual guest in the drive-thru lane. 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