How many times have you been stuck behind a tractor? On December 28, 1954, an F3 tornado tore directly through the city, injuring 25 people.[12]. Follow The Clarion-Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter. ", The Napiers and their friends were not the only ones making headway here. Alligators are often seen at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in the waters of the lakes. Another zoo in Mississippi that has alligators is Hattiesburg Zoo, located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. What Happens To The Gorgeous Furnishings Featured On HGTV 'Home Town'? Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the Magnolia State's alligator population and Jackson County is home to 25 percent. 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. To find the gator pond, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 3.21. Theres many different places where you can see alligators in Mississippi both in the wild and in zoos. In addition to influencing a diverse architectural district, the "timber families" of Laurel influenced the building of the town's broad avenues, the design of numerous public parks, and the development of strong public schools.[9]. Stay at Bonnie's Laurel Cottage, a super-friendly place owned by Bonnie McConkey (it's about five minutes from downtown). 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? "I'd been in Denver, Colorado, most of my adult life (though I grew up on a big farm in South Dakota). She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. Whena tooth breaks off, a new one grows to take its place. "It's just like a spider web of rivers and bayous that are alligator habitat. His son shares his same passion and has followed him in his footsteps. 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. Laurel residents Erin and Ben Napier are featured in the HGTV series Home Town, which premiered on March 21, 2017. 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. The best time of year to see alligators in Mississippi is in spring and fall. 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. "I've had alligators that I had to use both hands, but smaller alligators, 7 to 8-feet-long, I can hold them shut with one hand all day," Flynt said. That number of annual fatalities is about average, he said. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. 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. 11 The Estimated Alligator Population In Florida Is Around One Million. Small town America being restored, one house at a time. Wayne, an alligator trapper, said he had to put the. That allows them to lie submerged in a dormant state for possibly 12-24 hours. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Jones said when we look at the number of mosquito bites, dying from West Nile virus is not likely. For the six of us, all in our twenties, it was like a game: How can we make downtown Laurel feel alive again? I got involved after college. The Pascagoula River is one place capable of it.". The gator was not harmed while being relocated. The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside city limits. 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. Twenty-five percent of the alligator population in Mississippi is found Jackson County and the. When buying cowboy boots, there are a few aspects to consider, such as how far up they go on your legs and their design. "They're an apex predator and in feeding they have to tear their prey apart.". 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. You might even spot one eating a fish! Alligator Management. A close encounter with some animals naturally causes fear in some people, but the biggest threats may not be so obvious. Period," Flynt said. The gator pond is located 0.3 miles down the road on the right. Where to Find Alligators in the Mississippi River The best place to see alligators in Mississippi is at Moss Point, a small city located on the southeastern coast of Mississippi. Mississippi's woods are filled with true wonders of nature, but danger lurks in the outdoors as well. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. "Nary a one," Flynt said. Alligators have an ancestry dating back millions of years in the fossil record and have remained largely unchanged. 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. "In a natural setting, a bear in the woods and you're walking in the woods, the chance of an encounter is slim to none. My wife, Nece, and I would visit from California each summer. Thank you for reading! As of the 2010 census, Laurel had a population of 18,540. I went to my car in tears, and I said to myself, 'Well, I guess I'm moving 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. Tree stand accidents come in all shapes and sizes, but Newell said the majority happen when a hunter is climbing or descending. "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 . As the Hospitality State, well always be friendly towards visitors, but that doesnt mean we want them to start calling Mississippi home. 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. 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. My grandmother owned a restaurant, and because I was the oldest grandchild and a girl, she always had me around. Because alligators are. Stock up on artisanal beef jerky and homemade fudge at The Knight Butcher. 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. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. 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. But there was a time in the 1990s when I felt like this was the only retail store downtown. In the park, you're most likely to see alligators in the Davis Bayou Area. 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. ", "I was born and raised in Ellisville, about 15 minutes from here. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. Theres plenty of places to see alligators in their natural habitat all over Mississippi from Jackson to the Mississippi Coast. "Everybody was standing around like I was opening a Christmas present," he told the paper. 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. ", Have coffee and sticky buns at Sweet Somethings Bakery. My mother had been here for so long that after a period of time, she owned all the stock. 13. The alligators here can often be found in small lagoons, ponds and swamps. Problems arise when bears are lured out of their element by food and venture closer to humans than they normally would. 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 . The amazing-ness of Mississippi is definitely not lost on us locals. "Not in the recorded history of Mississippi history, anyway.". "Not only in terms of the overall numbers, but Jackson and Hancock counties rank as the top two counties for preferred habitat for alligators," Flynt said. Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. The 15 Deepest Lakes in the United States, The 10 Largest Man-Made Lakes in the United States, Whats the Largest Man Made Lake in Pennsylvania, The Most Alligator Infested Lakes in Mississippi. When an alligators tooth breaks off, a new one grows in its place. The Pascagoula River and its pristine drainage system make its bayous an excellent habitat for 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. 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. ':Alligator kills Mississippi woman's dog. The city was named for thickets of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) which were native to the original town site.[5]. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . The Wausau-Southern mill from Wausau, Wisconsin, followed in 1911, and the Marathon mill from Memphis, Tennessee, in 1914. In Mississippi, only one death has ever been recorded from a snake bite. 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. Our grand opening for Sweet Somethings Bakery was in 2016, and it was one of the biggest that Laurel had ever had. The median age was 35 years. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. As long as people and alligators have shared Mississippi, there have been people who hunted the creatures. Mississippi held its first alligator hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17. "Take two steps back and walk away," Vandeventer preaches. Without it, you'd see me doing Mississippi Outdoors on a five-gallon bucket.". 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