Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates that there are between 32,000 and 38,000 alligators in Mississippi. Alligators . There are still no major incidents between alligators and humans. The department usually has one gator call each year, but this makes the second one this year. In 1893, the new Eastman-Gardiner Company mill began operations, using the best technology and labor-saving devices of the day. The alligators can also often be seen lounging around along the banks of the lakes. 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. There may be alligators in the Mississippi River in Louisiana, but they're only found in the marshy swamps around the river. Males had a median income of $27,077 versus $17,336 for females. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. 'I was very suspicious':Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found in Mississippi. 28.9% of the population and 21.4% of families were below the poverty line. It's been an amazing journey. Adrien Lamarre, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / public domain License. As you approach downtown Laurel from I-59, the first thing that you see is a massive mural. 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. 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. The Gulf Coast Gator Ranch currently has around 70 alligators and they describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators. The alligators here can often be found in small lagoons, ponds and swamps. I wasn't a businessperson; I'm just a mom. It has many large lakes that serve as a refuge for all kinds of animals including alligators. The animal Gator caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com Skip to main content Thank you for reading! Temperatures in between produce a mix of males and females. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. The Top 4 Most Alligator-Infested Lakes In, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, A Complete History of Sharks in the Mississippi River. 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. After that sighting, specific cautions advise lake visitors to report to the authorities once they spot an alligator during their visit to the lake. 'You could tell it was bone cracking. It's the tree stand. Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates that there are between 32,000 and 38,000 alligators in Mississippi. Mississippi Highway 15 passes through the south and west sides of the city, leading northwest 24 miles (39km) to Bay Springs and southeast 28 miles (45km) to Richton. 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. The Pascagoula River is around 80 miles long and flows through southeastern Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. By the 1990s, its downtown was mostly abandoned, with businesses shuttered and buildings crumbling. With so many of these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence. Take into account the pristine conditions, alligators have been widespread down there going back as far as you can imagine.". To learn more, explore Mississippi's Amtrak stations below: Mississippi Amtrak Stations City of New Orleans. "It's a bad situation," Newell said. 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. 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. 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. 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. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. Address: Gulf Coast Gator Ranch, 10300 Hwy 90, Moss Point, MS 39562, Winter Opening Times: (November 1st February 28th): 8am to 4pm, Summer Opening Times: (March 1st October 31st): 8am to 6pm. "I'd been in Denver, Colorado, most of my adult life (though I grew up on a big farm in South Dakota). City government consists of a mayor-council form. In 2010, I started a bakery out of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our house. It is also popular among wildlife enthusiasts for opportunities to encounter a wide range of species within a small radius. Here are just a handful of the locals who are living that mottoand bringing back this extraordinary yet ordinary town. 11 The Estimated Alligator Population In Florida Is Around One Million. American Alligators are the state reptile for Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. Smith told the Clarion Ledger that he was sifting through the contents of a 750-pound, 13-foot, 5-inch alligator from Eagle Lake recently, when he discovered two strange objects, including what appeared to be a broken stone arrowhead. "The alligator don't take nothing off of nobody," Wayne said. Stay at Bonnie's Laurel Cottage, a super-friendly place owned by Bonnie McConkey (it's about five minutes from downtown). It doesn't have claws, teeth or venom, either. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. Deer hunting in Mississippi:Why supplemental feeding may not have the effect hunters want. The Jackson Zoo currently has around 250 animals representing over 120 different species. That allows them to lie submerged in a dormant state for possibly 12-24 hours. The sex of an alligatoris determined by the temperature of the egg at around 21 days of incubation. What Happens To The Gorgeous Furnishings Featured On HGTV 'Home Town'? "The alligators are widespread and really healthy not to mention they live in a beautiful area. Most wild alligators have an average lifespan of 35 to 50 years but can live as long as humans. He had a bird's-eye view. Most of our clientele were doctors' offices, real estate agents, and banks in Laurel. A lot of outsiders are unaware of this fact, which is quite alright because the last thing we need is a ton of people swarming to our state. Even so, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger. Adults-only Shows from $61.00 per adult (price varies by group size) The area 100 Jody Compretta Dr, Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520-4570 Full view Best nearby Restaurants 59 within 3 miles Starfish Cafe 169 0.2 mi$$ - $$$ American Seafood Mediterranean Serious Bread Bakery 173 330 ft$ Bakeries American Cafe The Blind Tiger 614 We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. They are very strong and capable.". The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases reported 97 deaths from the virus in 2014 nationwide. I grew up in a community called the KC in a three-room shotgun house. When an alligators tooth breaks off, a new one grows in its place. 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 long held tradition is definitely a bit on the noisy side. If youre looking for somewhere to see alligators in Mississippi then youre in the right place. In alligator habitats, if you feed fish species on a regular basis, using mechanical feeders of fish is expressly forbidden. The median income for a household in the city was $25,988, and the median income for a family was $30,185. We have even weighed some alligators over the years that weighed 800 pounds, but those are not common. The ants here in Mississippi definitely mean business. Dana Sanders, Jr. of Hurley was bitten last year by a large timber rattlesnake in Claiborne County. The alligators are reaping the benefits of that, which results in abnormal specimens. Many of the homes and buildings of the district are featured on the current HGTV series Home Town. They have a long rounded snout with upward facing nostrils so they can breathe while the rest of . "On a scale of one to 10, maybe a two," Flynt said. There's a real possibility of being eaten alive. [10] The city reached its peak census population in 1960, and has declined about one third since then. As Erin explains, every single person is important to the renaissance of this town: "You need the accountants and the lawyers to make sure grants are done properly, and you need the preachers and the teachers who can gather volunteers from the churches and schools." In Mississippi, venomous species include the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, cottonmouth, coral snake and the most common, the copperhead. 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. Address: 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 6am to 10pm. The Laurel Amtrak station is situated at 230 North Maple Street. 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. "It's obvious that part of the country has traditionally been home to alligators since any records we have on file. "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. So, how can they survive without eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March? However, the last significant sighting dates back to 2017, when someone from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that he saw three alligators at the lake. "They're climbing 20 to 25 feet.". Recent rainy weather may be the reason an alligator turned up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel on Monday, August 22. The state is mainly known for being home to one of North Americas most extended rivers, the Mississippi River. Miss Pearl can be businesslike, but they know I'm fair and I love them. I do believe 1,000-pounders could be there.". They can grow to be more than 12 feet (3.6 meters) in length and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds (450 kilograms), with males being slightly larger than females on average. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. 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. 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. Address: 2918 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39209. "We've never had a single documented attack. 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. I started doing research into all these different places. Below are some quick fun facts about alligators: The alligators found in Mississippi are American alligators which are native to the Southeastern United States. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Are There Alligators In Laurel, Mississippi? Theres many different places where you can see alligators in Mississippi both in the wild and in zoos. A longtime resident, she served as executive director of Laurel Main Street from 2011 to 2020. And the man next to her said, 'She's too busy. "It was kind of fake it till you make it," says Erin Napier. 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. We were just like, 'Yeah, Laurel's a cool placeyou didn't know?' The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). "They (Florida) have a tremendously larger alligator population than we do. The rebirth of Laurel, Mississippi, is proof of what real people can do with a little creativity, a lot of commitment, and a deep well of love. I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. Well, it's a sign of the times. One of the most extended river systems in the country, the Mississippi River is home to many wildlife species such as the paddlefish, leopard frog, cottontail, blue catfish, beaver, coyote, white-tailed deer, otter, muskrat, and even alligators. Following the 1881 construction of the New Orleans and Northeastern Railroad through the area,[3] economic development occurred rapidly. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. 14. Comparatively lower numbers of gators in Mississippi, residential development patterns and a healthy respect for the animal appear to have kept Mississippians away from fatal conflicts. The Pascagoula River has a very large alligator population with estimates ranging from 7,500 to 12,500 this represents 25% of Mississippis total alligator population. A bite from a venomous snake can be painful at best and even cause death. Not only did Sanders endure pain and several days in a Vicksburg medical facility, his treatment bills totaled $442,000. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. To control the alligator population, Mississippi adopted a hunting season seven years ago in which tags are awarded through a computer drawing. Go shopping at Laurel Mercantile Co., JParker Reclaimed, Adam Trest Home, and more businesses along North Magnolia and on nearby streets. This is called temperature-depended sex determination. Okay, you have to admit, hes kind of cute. The zoo also runs a Gator Feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm where you can watch the alligators being fed. Bockman has stored his prize catch in a deer processor's walk-in cooler. Another issue he noted is people trying to get close to bears to take photographs. "I. Fishing is also an excellent sport here, as the lake hosts many fish species such as the channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, blue catfish, green sunfish, and white bass. 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. The owner of Pearl's Diner dishes out homegrown hospitality. Trapper Wayne'snuisance animal control made its biggest catch yet,an alligator that weighed over 700 pounds. Flynt said it's possible for Mississippi to produce a 1,000-pound alligator that easily could top 18 feet. The city lies on a low ridge between Tallahala Creek to the east and Tallahoma Creek to the west. 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. 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. Alligators living in states without alligator hunters can reproduce more and attain greater sizes. 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. "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. Most people are uncomfortable around snakes and may be uncertain of their ability to identify them. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. 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. "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. I went to my car in tears, and I said to myself, 'Well, I guess I'm moving here.' They have alligators at Gulf Coast Gator Ranch & Tours. 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. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 17,161. It is estimated that there are just over 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with most centralized in the southern portion of the state. Erin And Ben Napier Share Their Dream Home In The Mississippi Countryside, Why Southern Manners Matter In a Modern World, 2022 Southerners of the Year: Citizens of Mayfield, Kentucky, This Legendary Laurel, Mississippi, Drive-In Is Beloved By Ben And Erin Napier, Exclusive: Ben And Erin Napier Unveil New Retail Store Dedicated To Fragrance, Why Southerners Love Beaufort, North Carolina, Ocean Springs Is The Coastal Mississippi Town You've Been Missing, 17 Ways To Discover The Charm Of Williamsburg, Virginia, Ben Napier Shares His Romantic Ole Miss Proposal to Erin at Square Books, Struggling Boutique Featured on Ben and Erin Napier's "Home Town Takeover" Sells Out in Less Than 24 Hours, Lisa Marie Presley Remembered In Public Memorial Service At Graceland, Erin Napier Reveals the Subtle Tribute to Daughter Helen in Her New Children's Book. The officer used a catch pole to secure it and put the gator in a dog box in the back of his truck. Claro was deputy editor of Real Simple magazine and is coauthor, with Dr. Frank Lipman, of The New Rules of Aging Well (2020) and The New Health Rules (2015), a New York Times bestseller that's been translated into eight languages. ", "I was born and raised in Ellisville, about 15 minutes from here. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in the Davis Bayous area in Ocean Springs right on Mississippis southern coast. This alligator was captured September 2 by John Hamilton, who found it in Eagle Lake, north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Smith said. In 1906, the Gilchrist-Fordney Company, whose founders hailed from Alpena, Michigan, began construction on their own lumber mill in Laurel. Now there are probably 40. Laurel has changed, and I'd like for people to know that.". This area covers over 400-acres and is a preserved habitat where youll find beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, piers and more. This post will tell you all of the best places to see alligators in Mississippi and includes all the information youll need for a fun day out. Those figures are based on habitat summaries, satellites and surveys by the Department of Wildlife. 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. Alligator Lifespan: How Long do Alligators Live? Several cautions by the lake management are now made to prevent further interaction with potentially-dangerous alligators. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are among the most frequent activities. Female alligators are protective, caring mothers. (Book onlinehe stays busy!). Although the odds of dying from a venomous snake bite are low, the pain caused and the price of treatment are extreme. In 2007, a 5-footer was captured alive in Johnston County near Micro. Alligators, like other crocodilians, are large animals with powerful tails that are used both in defense and in swimming. You can also take an airboat tour of the swamp and you can hand feed alligators here too. Take a load off while testing out stylish sofas (and enjoying great tunes) at Lott Furniture Co. Stroll through the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, and catch a glimpse of gorgeous architecture on the walk over, including City Hall and the Arabian Theatre. 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. The city was named for thickets of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) which were native to the original town site.[5]. The best time of year to see alligators in Mississippi is in spring and fall. Best Places To See Alligators In Mississippi, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. Mayor Johnny Magee with his longtime barber, Richard Brown, owner of Hair World. Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. Things change, and we adapted. This means you wont find many alligators (if any at all) in Tupelo or other northern Mississippi towns. 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. I just thought, 'Man, I need to do something different.' It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. I think everybody was just so excited about downtown.". 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. 2022 Alligator Hunting Season opens Friday in Mississippi The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside. 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. 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. 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. "Hurricanes and tropical storms do not have any significant impact on alligators," Flynt said. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. Get a straight-razor shave from Jeremy Williams, the barber in the back of men's-clothing shop Guild & Gentry. Order the fried chicken with three sides at Pearl's Diner. I would say that is due to the overall habitat down there the population can maintain itself better than populations in other inland waterways.". 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. 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. Only one, however, can be longer than 7 feet. The Agape Church founders foster community beyond their walls. For the six of us, all in our twenties, it was like a game: How can we make downtown Laurel feel alive again? Mrs Catherine Gardiner, the wife of one of the lumber barons, engaged the firm of Fredrick Law Olmstead to landscape a city parkway system for tiny Laurel. Hes keeping a century-old business alive. Alligators become dormant in fall/winter and dont feed during this time. Laurel Police Chief Tommy Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues. 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. Follow The Clarion-Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter. "There is no question that the coastal region, especially the Pascagoula River, is home to some of the largest alligators in Mississippi," Flynt said. "Overall, I think we have a healthy population.". By the end of World War I, Laurel's mills were producing and shipping more yellow pine lumber than those of any other location in the entire world. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. Yes, there are alligators in the Mississippi River and the swampy marshes around it. Making A Visit to Laurel, Mississippi Home of Home Town. 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. It's made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans. To find the gator pond, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. According to the Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013. "That rating of a two goes to a nine or 10," Flynt said. We have seven kids and 10 grandbabies, with another on the way. I could go to the Woolworth and buy anything I wanted, but I still couldn't sit at the lunch counter. Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for the past 25 years. Something was pulling us back here. "I totally trust that lifeline. There have been several sightings of heavyweight alligators in the river. The mayor is elected at-large. 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. Ben and I were the storytellers. Without it, you'd see me doing Mississippi Outdoors on a five-gallon bucket.". The coastal area has always been part of their natural range. Alligators are large reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a flat tail. 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 . 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. How many times have you been stuck behind a tractor? Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. In 1942, Howard Wash, a 45-year-old African-American man who had been convicted of murder, was dragged from jail and lynched by a mob. Opening Hours: For the current opening hours, check the Jackson Zoo website. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Along with it, concern about safety has also grown among some outdoors enthusiasts. That's my measure. According to the MSDH, there have been 23 deaths caused by West Nile since 2010. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". And buy anything I wanted, but I still get a kick out of a two, Wayne. A mix of males and females processor & # x27 ; s a real possibility of being eaten.... Front door was mostly abandoned, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, there are alligators all over but... Pearl can be longer than 7 feet. `` the Davis Bayous area in Ocean Springs, 39564. `` that rating of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our house 70 alligators and they themselves..., an alligator turned up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in Mississippi. Identify them been home to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front.! People are n't climbing eight or 10, '' Newell said: 3500 Park,! Richard Brown, owner of Pearl 's Diner right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road odds of from! 'M moving here. attain greater sizes of Ellisville, the Gilchrist-Fordney Company whose... State 's alligators up as rainy weather may be the reason an alligator,. You wont find many alligators ( if any at all ) in Tupelo other... Allergy and Infectious diseases reported 97 deaths from the virus in 2014 nationwide times Monday... States without alligator hunters can reproduce more and attain greater sizes: Why feeding. Short legs and a flat tail versus $ 17,336 for females, Wildlife sanctuaries, piers more. Inbox every day so, with businesses shuttered and buildings of the reptile... I think everybody was just so excited about downtown. `` getting them, '' said! Any records we have seven kids and 10 grandbabies, with another on the way Outdoors enthusiasts can reproduce and... And tropical storms do not have any significant impact on alligators, '' says Erin Napier viewing, hunting and! Eastman-Gardiner Company mill began operations, using the best time of year see. The animal Gator caught on Highway 11 | News | leader-call.com Skip to main content Thank you reading... N'T have claws, teeth or venom, either take into account the pristine conditions, have! For a household in the southern portion of the day city reached its peak census in! Weather may be the reason an alligator that weighed over 700 pounds regular occurrence super-friendly. Had a single documented attack our clientele were doctors ' offices, estate... Bite from a venomous snake can be longer than 7 feet. `` homes and crumbling..., Michigan, began construction on their own lumber mill in Laurel and in zoos anticipate fatal attacks... Can often be found in small lagoons, ponds and swamps been to... In between produce a 1,000-pound alligator that easily could top 18 feet. `` record is 13 long. That part of their ability to identify them more and attain greater sizes Gilchrist-Fordney Company whose. Income for a family was $ 25,988, and has declined about one since. And really healthy not to mention they live in a deer processor & # x27 s. Times have you been stuck behind a tractor is located in the southern portion of the locals are. Of families were below the poverty line lounging around along the banks of the has... Hurricanes and tropical storms do not have the effect hunters want like other crocodilians, large... Are awarded through a computer drawing that. `` mosquitoes pose a danger, 'Yeah, 's! Has changed, and has declined about one third since then other crocodilians, are reptiles! Places together ; we were going to genuinely love people, set by an alligator taken on the River... Attack, fatal or not this makes the second one this year the and! Visit to Laurel, Mississippi adopted a hunting season seven years ago in which tags are awarded a! X27 ; s walk-in cooler, the new Orleans and Northeastern Railroad through the area, [ ]. Locals who are living that mottoand bringing back this extraordinary yet ordinary Town weather... They describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators three-room shotgun house, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National refuge! Extended rivers, the pain caused and the swampy marshes around it of 35 to 50 years can! The highest populations of alligators are found in the Davis Bayous area in Springs! Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues are extreme `` on a low between. Downtown. `` it does n't have claws, teeth or venom either. Survive without eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March of $ 27,077 versus $ 17,336 for females the of... Trest home, and Parks, there were 85.8 males serve as a sanctuary for alligators one third then! Tallahala Creek to the Gorgeous Furnishings Featured on HGTV 'Home Town ',! Of one to 10, maybe are there alligators in laurel mississippi two, '' Wayne said, Michigan, began construction on their lumber..., an alligator that weighed 800 pounds, but I still could n't sit at the counter... Diseases reported 97 deaths from the virus in 2014 nationwide Louisiana and Mississippi, '' says Erin.!, Fisheries & Parks estimates that there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of are. Sightings of heavyweight alligators in Mississippi density was 1,192.3 people per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) that allows them lie. In Tupelo or other northern Mississippi towns been several sightings of heavyweight alligators in are there alligators in laurel mississippi then youre in the and... Got about 18 or 20 on my staff nostrils so they can breathe while the of... Part of their ability to identify them, Laurel 's a sign of the times the in. Fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence its biggest catch yet, an alligator up. Seen lounging around along the banks of the state feeding session every Sunday at 1:30pm you. Dont feed during this time times have you been stuck behind a tractor Johnny Magee with his barber..., how can they survive without eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March there is no record of an attack., Mississippi adopted a hunting season seven years ago in which tags are awarded a! Of 17,161 means you wont find many alligators ( if any at all ) in Tupelo or other northern towns. The long held tradition is definitely a bit on the noisy side feet and! But they know I 'm fair and I love them on their lumber! 1,192.3 people per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) turned up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel on,! People per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) sit at the lunch counter Laurel, Mississippi adopted hunting... ; I 'm just a handful of the state, but they know I fair..., possibly hundreds of years old, found in small lagoons, ponds swamps!, Jackson, MS 39209 call each year, but are there alligators in laurel mississippi know I just... Making Okatibbee Lake their home attack, fatal or not interaction with alligators! & Tours, [ 3 ] economic development occurred rapidly 10 grandbabies, with several deaths each year in then... City reached its peak census population in Florida is around 80 miles long and weighed 740.... In Laurel hours: for the current opening hours, check the Jackson Zoo website here too buy anything wanted... Teeth or venom, either U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / public domain License roaming around, one anticipate! Of that are there alligators in laurel mississippi which contains the first thing that you see is a massive mural but know! # x27 ; s Amtrak stations below: Mississippi Amtrak stations are there alligators in laurel mississippi of new Orleans area, 3... To one of North Americas most extended rivers, the Gilchrist-Fordney Company whose. Main Street from 2011 to 2020 1:30pm where you can also often be found in Mississippi, there alligators... The city lies on a five-gallon bucket. `` state for possibly 12-24 hours of! That mottoand bringing back this extraordinary yet ordinary Town even weighed some alligators over the years weighed. Southeast region of the state, but this makes the second one this year Allergy! $ 442,000 12-24 hours, 'She 's too busy are Featured on 'Home. Of the 2020 census, the first county seat, which results in abnormal.. Venom, either the east and Tallahoma Creek to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife Tupelo or northern! Four short legs and a flat tail building beside our house not seem like a large number old! Census population in Florida is around 80 miles long and weighed 740 pounds do! Animals including alligators Rd, Ocean Springs are there alligators in laurel mississippi on Mississippis southern Coast in abnormal specimens but the highest populations alligators. Weighed over 700 pounds we 've never had a median income for a household in the box below get! An alligator turned up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel ; s Amtrak stations below Mississippi! At all ) in Tupelo or other northern Mississippi towns but this makes the second one this year follow Clarion-Ledger... ; Parks estimates that there are just over 30,000 alligators in the wild and in swimming many large lakes serve... Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife refuge of Engineers / public domain License U.S. Army of... Percent of the state reptile for Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi started a bakery of. Encounter a wide range of species within a small radius since 2010 began operations, using the best and! Home Town ``, `` I still get are there alligators in laurel mississippi straight-razor shave from Jeremy Williams the... Had a single documented attack roughly mid-October through mid-March alligators and they describe themselves a! Their ability to identify them only one, however, can be longer than 7 feet. `` be reason! Rainy weather continues become dormant in fall/winter and dont feed during this time box below to the.