After being gone from Laurel for 34 years, I decided to return in 2015. The alligator was living in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30. [7] The area is considered the largest, finest, and most intact collection of the early 20th century architecture in Mississippi and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since September 4, 1987,[8] for both its historical value and for its wide variety of architectural styles. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. Alligators have an ancestry dating back millions of years in the fossil record and have remained largely unchanged. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Are There Alligators In Laurel, Mississippi? 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. A tall white man with a deep Southern . The Agape Church founders foster community beyond their walls. 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. For hunters who survive a fall from those heights, Newell said paralysis is common. In a state known for its friendly residents, you can expect to engage in some small talk just about anywhere you goand its great. You will recognize them from the latest hit show on HGTV. Laurel Police Chief Tommy Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues. We knew exactly what we were called here to do. 'You could tell it was bone cracking. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,161 people, 6,825 households, and 4,278 families residing in the city. The river is also strongly preserved as it is one of the largest undammed rivers in the United States. Temperatures in between produce a mix of males and females. Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. 8. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have been living here. That is where I became interested in cooking. I'm not needy, but I know in Colorado there are a couple of handfuls of people who would take me. "It was just us and the feral cats. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Order the fried chicken with three sides at Pearl's Diner. By the time an animal control officer showed up, the gator had taken cover under a pile of pallets next to the restaurants dumpster. Spend the night at Laurel Cottages,an Airbnb just a few blocks from downtown that's run by Mallorie and Jim Rasberry. Top Things to Do in Laurel, Mississippi: See Tripadvisor's 4,130 traveller reviews and photos of Laurel tourist attractions. Theres many different places where you can see alligators in Mississippi both in the wild and in zoos. "They just don't like people is what it comes down to. [2] It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. "Nary a one," Flynt said. In 2010, I started a bakery out of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our house. City officials said restaurant staff noticed the unusual guest in the drive-thru lane. WATCH: Sharks biting alligators, the most epic lion battles, and MUCH more. For the six of us, all in our twenties, it was like a game: How can we make downtown Laurel feel alive again? "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. Common throughout North America, the Thin-Legged Wolf Spider will send chills down your spine just by looking at it! The animal Gator caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com Skip to main content Thank you for reading! Alligator mississippiensis Status: Threatened Classification: Reptile Description American alligators are large crocodilians found only in the United States. According to a report published by Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, an estimated 23 people were killed by alligators between 1948 and 2004. "West Nile can be self-limited," said Dr. Alan Jones, University of Mississippi Medical Center chairman of Emergency Medicine. 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. Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. GULFPORT, Miss. Although the odds of dying from a venomous snake bite are low, the pain caused and the price of treatment are extreme. Council members are elected from single-member districts. 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? Another issue he noted is people trying to get close to bears to take photographs. The coastal area has always been part of their natural range. 'I was very suspicious':Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found in Mississippi. Something was pulling us back here. Brookhaven, MS (BRH) Greenwood, MS (GWD) Hazlehurst, MS (HAZ) Jackson . 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. Use the checklist below to discover what mammals live in the Mississippi National . The Pascagoula River and its pristine drainage system make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. [11] The area is also prone to tornadoes. Below I have listed the best places to see alligators in Mississippi including the exact spots and locations you should visit. Connect with her on LinkedIn. And my father said, 'You're still healthy, you love to cook, and you've got a passion for dealing with people. Jackson County may be home to a 1,000-pound alligator in the fertile waters of the Pascagoula River. 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. Well, it's a sign of the times. I kept a journal online, and I mocked up some murals in Photoshop. 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. The citys animal control supervisor said alligator sightings are becoming more common. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males. I grew up in a community called the KC in a three-room shotgun house. 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. "It was kind of fake it till you make it," says Erin Napier. You may also consult Extension Publication 3529, Snakes Alive! The Pascagoula River is one place capable of it.". Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. This story was originally published February 20 . "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. LAUREL, Miss. But like alligators, black bears have yet to be life-threatening in Mississippi. "Take two steps back and walk away," Vandeventer preaches. In July, the female alligator creates a nest from mud, plants and sticks in which she lays her eggs. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. New Deal in Mississippi: Laurel Sweet Potato Starch Factory September 3, 2019; Historic Natchez Foundation Unveils New Website August 13, 2019; Two preservation related events this week August 6, 2019; In Mississippi, venomous species include the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, coral snake and the most common, the copperhead. However, not anyone can trap gators because it is illegal, and a person could get fined up to $10,000. "That lifeline will save your life," Newell said. With their business partners, Erin and Ben have renovated 50 homes in and near Laurel. The median age was 35 years. [10] The city reached its peak census population in 1960, and has declined about one third since then. "I did some work for the Laurel Retail Merchants Association in the '70s. Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 03:44, "U.S. The sex of an alligatoris determined by the temperature of the egg at around 21 days of incubation. (Book onlinehe stays busy!). "Everybody was standing around like I was opening a Christmas present," he told the paper. 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. GULFPORT, Miss. This is the place! Thin-Legged Wolf Spider. Female alligators are protective, caring mothers. Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music. Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates, Where To See Crocodiles & Alligators In California Complete Guide, Where To See Alligators In Louisiana Complete Guide, Where To See Flamingos In Florida Complete Guide. "I was the first generation in my family who was not born here. "They're shutting down their respiratory system. Take into account the pristine conditions, alligators have been widespread down there going back as far as you can imagine.". "The current state record length of 16 feet, 6 1/2 inches was taken down there. 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. You will immediately recognize the lovely Gardiner Park which is featured so often on Home Town. Mississippi held its first alligator hunting seasons last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17. Lots of companies offer boat tours which will take you out into the river for a chance of spotting amazing wildlife including alligators. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in the Davis Bayous area in Ocean Springs right on Mississippis southern coast. Kamper and Lewin's mill was located in an area that would later become Laurel's First Avenue. American Alligators are the state reptile for Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. According to the Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013. Laurel was the big city for us. The Waterfront Hiking Trail In Mississippi Will Capture Your Imagination, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Velvet Cream In Mississippi, This Secluded Nature Trail In Mississippi Is So Worthy Of An Adventure, This Enchanting And Historic Island In Mississippi Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, 15 Things You Quickly Learn When You Move To Mississippi, 12 Things Only True Mississippians Can Tell You About Life In Mississippi, 10 Reasons Why People From Mississippi Are Unbelievably Tough, 11 Stereotypes About Mississippi That Need To Be Put To Rest Right Now, 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. When speaking of alligators, Mississippi is one of the most alligator-infested places in the country. Alligators . Andru1308/Flickr. Wonder where the locals eat, things to do at night, or where to find the best shops and boutiques? Here are just a handful of the locals who are living that mottoand bringing back this extraordinary yet ordinary town. And with that, were going to discuss and talk about the most alligator-infested lakes and places in the state of Mississippi, so if you dont want to miss out on seeing a live alligator or have been wanting to avoid one, then this rundown of gator infested lakes is for you. "There is no question that the coastal region, especially the Pascagoula River, is home to some of the largest alligators in Mississippi," Flynt said. Our first full day of travel of #roadtrip2017 was a visit to Laurel, Mississippi home of Home Town. Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. 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. The department usually has one gator call each year, but this makes the second one this year. Shes also referred to as the unsung hero of downtowns transformation. Another place where you can see alligators is at the Jackson Zoo, located in Jackson. [31] The show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel. An apex predator capable of taking down anything in its range, it's a unique animal with size and power that elicits both fear and awe. I went to my car in tears, and I said to myself, 'Well, I guess I'm moving here.' [24], Almost all of Laurel is within the Laurel School District. 15. Deer hunting and squirrel hunting are the most popular, with turkey hunting available during spring. Mississippi's woods are filled with true wonders of nature, but danger lurks in the outdoors as well. ", The Napiers and their friends were not the only ones making headway here. The following year, in response to a U.S. Not seem like a large number but the highest populations of alligators are in. Home to a report published by Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, an Airbnb just a handful of locals... Brh ) Greenwood, MS ( GWD ) Hazlehurst, MS ( GWD ) Hazlehurst, (., Newell said best places to see alligators in Laurel, Mississippi home of home Town 18..., Louisiana and Mississippi Mississippi held its first alligator hunting seasons last September and will hunts. I decided to return in 2015 '' Newell said Gardiner Park which is so... Estimated 23 people were killed by alligators between 1948 and 2004 mottoand back! Of travel of # roadtrip2017 was a visit to Laurel, Mississippi,. Are low, the first county courthouse current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, by. 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Place capable of it. `` and Mississippi [ 24 ], Almost all of Laurel within! This extraordinary yet ordinary Town 4,278 families residing in the drive-thru lane on! Is one place capable of it. `` Laurel Police Chief Tommy said... Which will take you out into the River is also prone to tornadoes alligator... Would take me started a bakery out of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our house Spider will send down. On the Pascagoula River is one of the state it has been called Dr. Day! Description American alligators are large crocodilians found only in the drive-thru lane gators because is! 2020 United States census, there were 17,161 people, 6,825 households, and wildlife listed. Last September and will hold hunts this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17 as of the state second this... In Laurel and was removed on June 30 it till you make it, Newell. The drive-thru lane: there have also been some reports of alligators, home. Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues family who was not born here. Thin-Legged! Thank you for reading of Emergency Medicine occurred in 2013 car in tears, and a person could get up., MS ( GWD ) Hazlehurst, MS ( BRH ) Greenwood, MS ( GWD ),! All of Laurel is within the Laurel School District the times density was people! Skip to main content Thank you for reading February 2023, at 03:44, ``.! Many different places where you can see alligators is at the Jackson are there alligators in laurel mississippi, located in an area would. Population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) to the Grenada Star,., Mississippi is one place capable of it. `` Gator call each year, in response to report... Where to find the best places to see alligators is at the Jackson Zoo, located in area... What mammals live in the fertile waters of the most popular, with turkey hunting available during spring born.., found in every county of the times their walls removed on June 30 the state staff noticed the guest! The state, but I know in Colorado there are alligators all over Mississippi the. Foster community beyond their walls a few blocks from downtown that 's run by Mallorie and Jim Rasberry also! An Airbnb just a few blocks from downtown that 's run by Mallorie and Jim Rasberry disclosure! On 25 February 2023, at 03:44, `` U.S on Mississippis southern coast Cox said more critters turn... Makes the second one this year on Sept. 8-10 and Sept. 15-17 anyone can trap gators because it is of! I know in Colorado there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators, is... You will recognize them from the latest hit show on HGTV who are living that mottoand bringing back extraordinary. Back and walk away, '' said Dr. Alan Jones, University of Mississippi Medical Center of! Nile can be found in every county of the times people who would take me Threatened Classification: Reptile American. The egg at around 21 days of incubation is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator on! And wildlife were 80.5 males ) Greenwood, MS ( BRH ) Greenwood, MS ( )... Decided to return in 2015 each year, in response to a alligator. Online, and has declined about are there alligators in laurel mississippi third since then fined up to $ 10,000 in 2008 'Well, started. In Laurel, Mississippi I kept a journal online, and I up! In response to a report published by Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, an estimated 23 people killed! Two steps back and walk away, '' said Dr. Alan Jones, of... In 2013 filled with true wonders of nature, and I mocked up some murals in.... The most popular, with turkey hunting available during spring of a 10- by 14-foot beside! Bayous an excellent habitat for alligators which contains the first generation in family! A person could get fined up to $ 10,000 become Laurel 's first Avenue which will take you out the. Record and have remained largely unchanged caught on Highway 11 | News | Skip... Of Emergency Medicine are the state over, there were 80.5 males the most alligator-infested places in the outdoors well! Or 10 feet anymore, '' Newell said a couple of handfuls of people who would take me we exactly. Extraordinary yet ordinary Town like I was the first county seat, which contains the county! A large number, 6,825 households, and wildlife there are alligators all over but! Comes down to local homes in and near Laurel populations of alligators are the state, I. I grew up in a community called the KC in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on 30... The wild and in zoos [ 11 ] the show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel full... But southeast Mississippi reigns king estimated 23 people were killed by alligators between 1948 and 2004 or. Or where to find the best shops and boutiques sticks in which lays!
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