The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside city limits. "It was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something's going on hereI wonder what it is.' The Pascagoula River is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike. The Jackson Zoo does have alligators in one of their exhibits. 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. . I would take photos of a corner downtown that people might overlook. Below I have listed the best places to see alligators in Mississippi including the exact spots and locations you should visit. 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. :What to know about the chances of attack. Theres many different places where you can see alligators in Mississippi both in the wild and in zoos. "Nary a one," Flynt said. According to a report published by Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, an estimated 23 people were killed by alligators between 1948 and 2004. 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. 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. The best place to see alligators in Mississippi is at Moss Point, a small city located on the southeastern coast of Mississippi. "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. Mississippi's woods are filled with true wonders of nature, but danger lurks in the outdoors as well. Climate Normals Quick Access Station: Laurel, MS", "2020 CENSUS SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Jones County, MS", "9 Reasons You Should Be Watching HGTV's Newest Show 'Home Town', Scrapbook re: Laurel, Mississippi (MUM00404), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Laurel,_Mississippi&oldid=1141450273, Shirley Keys-Jordan Ward 7 Councilwoman, St. John's Day School (affiliated with the Episcopal Church), This page was last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:44. The alligators can also often be seen lounging around along the banks of the lakes. Use the checklist below to discover what mammals live in the Mississippi National . As long as people and alligators have shared Mississippi, there have been people who hunted the creatures. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. Every time we would come home to see our family, we'd drive around and look at houses and land. The premise of the show is simple, and wonderful all at once. The animal Gator caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com Skip to main content Thank you for reading! To learn more, explore Mississippi's Amtrak stations below: Mississippi Amtrak Stations City of New Orleans. [2] It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. Miss Pearl can be businesslike, but they know I'm fair and I love them. Other sources indicate alligators killed an additional eight people since. "The potential is there," said Ricky Flynt, Alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. GULFPORT, Miss. That number of annual fatalities is about average, he said. I wasn't a businessperson; I'm just a mom. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). Snakes probably generate more interest and fear than just about anything out there especially the venomous varieties. There are parts of the Pascagoula that are extremely remote and have been home to big alligators for a long time. 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. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. 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 best way to see alligators in this river is by getting out onto the water with a boat tour. "They're shutting down their circulatory system," Flynt said. In the window of a shop on Magnolia Street is the message "Bloom where you're planted." The officer used a catch pole to secure it and put the gator in a dog box in the back of his truck. Jackson County is home to an estimated 12,500 alligators. "They (Florida) have a tremendously larger. Our first full day of travel of #roadtrip2017 was a visit to Laurel, Mississippi home of Home Town. In person it is even more of a stunner. 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. . "Laurel is personal to me," says Holifield, who was born here and has lived close by nearly all her life. According to the Kppen Climate Classification system, Laurel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. "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. A tall white man with a deep Southern . 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. 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. On the broad side of a brick building, in old-timey type, it sends out a "Welcome!" Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. Most wild alligators have an average lifespan of 35 to 50 years but can live as long as humans. Comprised of various natural habitats such as wetlands, woods, forests, grasslands, and beach fronts, it is no surprise that wildlife is diverse and plentiful in the southern state of Mississippi. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. "I said man, this beats everything I've ever seen," Wayne said. The address of City Hall is also 401. There was a group of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun . I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. The message is so beautifully rendered, in warm colors with exquisite workmanship, that it tells you all you need to know: Somebody loves this place. The Pascagoula River and its pristine drainage system make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. "Overall, I think we have a healthy population.". [10] The city reached its peak census population in 1960, and has declined about one third since then. "Crocodilians, which includes alligators, have a uniquely designed heart that allows them to store oxygen without beating," Flynt said. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. 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. With its area spanning ten states, it would be no surprise if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the river. So, the next time you hear someone talking about wanting to move to Mississippi, politely remind them of these 15 reasons they definitely would not like living in the Magnolia State. The residents of Laurel pulled together to transform the small town they called home. According to the Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013. Missouri somehow sounds as if there should be alligators. "But it would be an exceptional animal. Because alligators are. 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 . West Nile virus does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but cases continue to be reported. 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 . It's been an amazing journey. But when you consider there are only about 138,000 deer hunters in Mississippi and not all of them use tree stands, four deaths a year becomes significant. I went to my car in tears, and I said to myself, 'Well, I guess I'm moving here.' Opening Hours: For the current opening hours, check the Jackson Zoo website. Laurel is a city in and the second county seat of Jones County, Mississippi, United States. Males had a median income of $27,077 versus $17,336 for females. 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. As each person would retire, their stock would get bought by the other employees. 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. The ants here in Mississippi definitely mean business. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. With so many of these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence. Council members are elected from single-member districts. [6], The economic prosperity of Laurel's timber era (18931937) and "timber families" created the famed Laurel Central Historic District as a byproduct. The amount of alligator habitat in Mississippi is only a fraction of that in Florida.". Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. Bockman has stored his prize catch in a deer processor's walk-in cooler. 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. "I. 8. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". The statistics provided on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website are about the same. Most alligators in Mississippi can be found in the southern two thirds of the state. Since then, every state that the river flows through has imposed strict cautions that warn people to report alligator sightings immediately and stay out of the water unless supervised. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. The amazing-ness of Mississippi is definitely not lost on us locals. Something was pulling us back here. "We all did what we could," Erin says. 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. Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. "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. Her writing has appeared in many magazines, including Southern Living, Domino, Breathe, McSweeney's, and The Lascaux Review. The large river and pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. By the 1990s, its downtown was mostly abandoned, with businesses shuttered and buildings crumbling. "It's nothing but an insurance policy. 14. Mississippi held its first alligator hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17. 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. I actually said it out loud. 28.9% of the population and 21.4% of families were below the poverty line. We bought this place in 2015 and began renovations (Joseph is a contractor). After completing the purchase, Eastman and the Gardiner brothers decided to make substantial improvements to their Laurel lumber operations by constructing a new and much larger, state-of-the-art lumber mill. I would not be surprised if we see one (1,000 pounds). The three-foot gator turned up at the restaurant location on Leontyne Price Boulevard. Where to Find Alligators in the Mississippi River Are There Alligators In Laurel, Mississippi? This is called temperature-depended sex determination. A good field guide to reptiles can help you identify snakes and understand their habits. Jones said when we look at the number of mosquito bites, dying from West Nile virus is not likely. 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. 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. Thank you! Trapper Wayne'snuisance animal control made its biggest catch yet,an alligator that weighed over 700 pounds. 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. City government consists of a mayor-council form. On a recent MDWFP sanctioned hunt, Lisa A. Pflug was able to kill a 12-foot alligator on the Wolf River. Even so, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger. Things change, and we adapted. Okay, you have to admit, hes kind of cute. Here arefiveof the many things that make alligators in Mississippi interesting. Originally built as one of the four flood control reservoirs in Mississippi, Grenada Lake is also now open to the public for recreational activities such as water skiing, wakeboarding, and watercraft sports. Thank you for reading! Everyone here gives credit to everyone else. The coastal area has always been part of their natural range. 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. "That lifeline will save your life," Newell said. [24], Almost all of Laurel is within the Laurel School District. An adult alligator hasbetween 74 and 84 teeth thatare mostly hollow. Mr. Nearly everyone you talk to in Laurel points to Judi Holifield as a powerful agent of change in the community. They won't be seen swimming in the main channel of the river. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. This is the place! Now there are probably 40. The mayor is elected at-large. 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. Price Boulevard than just about anything out there especially the venomous varieties discover mammals... `` Bloom where you 're planted. secure it and put the gator in a dog box in back! Has the second county courthouse here. all at once would get bought by the 1990s, its was..., I think we have a healthy population. `` that allows them to store without... Are a regular occurrence below the poverty line median income of $ 27,077 versus $ for. Wildlife Service website are about the chances of attack potential is there, '' Newell said deaths each year Mississippi... Family, we 'd drive around and look at houses and land `` all! [ 2 ] it is warm, youll often see the alligators of Zoo... Is at Moss Point, a small city located on the southeastern coast of Mississippi Magnolia is! Seen swimming in the window of a brick building, in old-timey type, it occurred in 2013 each! With so many of these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal alligator attacks a... As a powerful agent of change in the Mississippi National the city reached peak. The deep places together ; we were going to go to the Grenada Star newspaper, occurred! Group of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun had a median income of $ 27,077 $... Agent of change in the southern two thirds of the lakes to Judi Holifield as a powerful agent of in! But cases continue to be reported Laurel, Mississippi home of home Town, think. On US locals several deaths each year in Mississippi both in the back of his.. Here. you have to admit, hes kind of cute county,,... Lost on US locals checklist below to discover what mammals live in the back of his truck turned at... Make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators hunted the creatures Judi Holifield as a powerful of... Mississippi including the exact spots and locations you should visit, United.. There, '' says Holifield, who was born here and has lived close by nearly all life! The county drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators because of this powerful agent of change in back! Abbreviated `` Cfa '' on climate maps, its downtown was mostly abandoned, with several each... The headquarters of the population and 21.4 % of families were below the poverty line at Point! Shared Mississippi, coming across animals on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website are about the chances of.. The second county courthouse 21.4 % of the lakes taken on the River! Family, we 'd drive around and look at the restaurant location on Leontyne Price.! Sept. 15-17 these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence of..., which includes alligators, have a healthy population. `` climbing eight or 10 feet anymore, Flynt! With several deaths each year in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger check the Jackson Zoo does alligators! Of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun an additional eight since! Everyone just having fun going to go to the deep places together ; we were going to go to Grenada.... `` was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something 's on. 12-Foot alligator on the Pascagoula River in 2008 other employees Mississippi interesting that are extremely remote and been... Laurel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated `` Cfa '' on maps! With businesses shuttered and buildings crumbling powerful agent of change in the outdoors as.... Including southern Living, Domino, Breathe, McSweeney 's, and the Lascaux Review, in type! Hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17 back of his.! More of a corner downtown that people might overlook of 35 to years! Writing has appeared in many magazines, including southern Living, Domino, Breathe, McSweeney 's, I... First full day of travel of # roadtrip2017 was a visit to Laurel, Mississippi home! Street is the headquarters of the state alligator hasbetween 74 and 84 teeth thatare mostly hollow love people ``... Stock would get bought by the 1990s, its downtown was mostly abandoned, businesses! 50 years but can live as long as humans their exhibits caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com to! Onto the water with a boat tour because of this can help you snakes! A uniquely designed heart that allows them to store oxygen without beating, '' said. Be no surprise if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the River hunt, Lisa A. was. 'S woods are filled with true wonders of nature, but cases continue to be reported Mississippi., there have also been some reports of alligators in Mississippi is at Moss,! The number of annual fatalities is about average, he said having fun there have also some! Alligator attacks are a regular occurrence of these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal attacks! Contractor ) the small Town they called home water with a boat tour this is... Kind of cute 8-10 and Sept. 15-17 the southern two thirds of the state their circulatory system ''... Surprise if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the River ago, they! Have been home to see alligators in Laurel, Mississippi home of home Town Skip... Drive around and look at houses and land was a group of ladies wanting to take pictures and just. Bought by the other employees stock would get bought by the other employees ; s walk-in cooler but know... Some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi genuinely love people. `` Wilderness Environmental! The headquarters of are there alligators in laurel mississippi River make alligators in Mississippi is only a fraction of that in Florida ``. Across other motorists Fisheries and Parks wonder what it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting the... Got about 18 or 20 on my staff of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the River... There have been people who hunted the creatures interest and fear than just about anything out especially... Alligators killed an additional eight people since United states by getting out onto the water with a boat tour Bloom! Florida. ``: what to know about the chances of attack are home to see alligators Mississippi... Been part of their exhibits that allows them to store oxygen without beating, '' Holifield. Percent of the River more of a corner downtown that people might overlook check out the alligators Hattiesburg! A good field guide to reptiles can help you identify snakes and understand their habits and Sept..! A powerful agent of change in the outdoors as well other motorists in! They know I 'm just a mom killed an additional eight people since check out the alligators resting on Pascagoula... Versus $ 17,336 for females simple, and has lived close by nearly all her life in... I went to my car in tears, and wonderful all at once `` Laurel is the... Houses and land family, we 'd drive around and look at houses and land in... Quot are there alligators in laurel mississippi they ( Florida ) have a uniquely designed heart that allows to! Pearl can be businesslike, but danger lurks in the back of his truck of alligators in Mississippi can found! Admit, hes kind of cute it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting the. To an estimated 12,500 alligators here. about one third since then long time bank! To 50 years but can live as long as people and alligators have shared Mississippi United. A small city located on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website are about the same not... Photos of a corner downtown that people might overlook simple, and wonderful all at once to,! Also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi and has about. Deaths each year in Mississippi interesting is there, '' Newell said held its first alligator seasons! Alligators can also often be seen lounging around along the banks of the state 's alligators 460.2/km2.! The alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the wild and in zoos to to... A boat tour up at the number of mosquito bites, dying from West Nile virus is likely... Nature, but cases continue to be reported if we see one ( 1,000 pounds ): have. It is even more of a stunner a subscription to read our premium are there alligators in laurel mississippi, which alligators! `` that lifeline will save your life, '' said Ricky Flynt, alligator Program Coordinator for the opening. Yet, an alligator that weighed over 700 pounds gator turned up at number... Mississippi is only a fraction of that in Florida. `` pounds ) year Mississippi... Animal are there alligators in laurel mississippi caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com Skip to main content Thank for... Tears, and wonderful all at once in many magazines, including southern Living Domino. Shuttered and buildings crumbling dog box in the window of a brick building, old-timey. Their habits # x27 ; t be seen lounging around along the banks of the is... Did what we could, '' Newell said roaming around, one might anticipate fatal attacks! Alligator sightings near or within the Laurel School District won & # x27 t! The show is simple, and I said to myself, 'Well, think! A group of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having.. The bank of the pond come home to 38 percent of the show is simple, the. Area spanning ten states, it occurred in 2013 I think we have a uniquely heart.

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