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. 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. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. We have seven kids and 10 grandbabies, with another on the way. . In some counties, 20% of alligator sightings are above ten feet long. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Studies found that inAmerican alligatoreggs, incubation at 93 degrees and above produces mostly males, while incubation at or lower than 86degrees produces mostly females. 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. In 2010, I started a bakery out of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our house. Our grand opening for Sweet Somethings Bakery was in 2016, and it was one of the biggest that Laurel had ever had. As you approach downtown Laurel from I-59, the first thing that you see is a massive mural. They're expending no energy and they're living off body fat.". 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. "They (Florida) have a tremendously larger alligator population than we do. There are parts of the Pascagoula that are extremely remote and have been home to big alligators for a long time. My son is there, and my daughter-in-law, who's like my best friend. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. "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. The real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago, when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street. 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. With its area spanning ten states, it would be no surprise if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the river. My wife, Nece, and I would visit from California each summer. 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 gator was not harmed while being relocated. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. Estimates on the population vary, but biologists agree that Mississippi's black bear numbers are growing. A longtime resident, she served as executive director of Laurel Main Street from 2011 to 2020. Deer hunting and squirrel hunting are the most popular, with turkey hunting available during spring. The department usually has one gator call each year, but this makes the second one this year. According to the MSDH, there have been 23 deaths caused by West Nile since 2010. ". With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. Nationwide, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports there are 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually. Hattiesburg Zoo is a small 12-acre zoo that is home to a variety of animals from all around the world including alligators. The owner of Pearl's Diner dishes out homegrown hospitality. Laurel is in north-central Jones County, 8 miles (13km) northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat. Alligator Management. The city of Laurel was incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus. Even in Louisiana there are people who live and hunt in areas with high densities of bears and never have a problem.". And my father said, 'You're still healthy, you love to cook, and you've got a passion for dealing with people. (Breakfast is included for guests of their B&B upstairs.). 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]. 13. 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. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. His son shares his same passion and has followed him in his footsteps. According to Newsweek, it is estimated that there are around 1.3 million alligators in Florida. 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 . 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. According to the Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. 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. Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. It's made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans. Hes keeping a century-old business alive. The city lies on a low ridge between Tallahala Creek to the east and Tallahoma Creek to the west. Lots of companies offer boat tours which will take you out into the river for a chance of spotting amazing wildlife including alligators. As each person would retire, their stock would get bought by the other employees. You may also consult Extension Publication 3529, Snakes Alive! A good field guide to reptiles can help you identify snakes and understand their habits. "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 . An alligator can close its mouth withpressure of up to 3,000 pounds per square inch, but the mouth of an adult alligator can be held shut with just one hand. It's part of the magic of this place, where a devoted mayor, Johnny Magee, and a bevy of inspired citizens live their deep commitment. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. Then, in the last decade or so, a grassroots movement began. The Pascagoula River is around 80 miles long and flows through southeastern Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico. It seems very plausible to imagine an alligator floating elegantly, its silhouette adding a threatening component to the famous view of the Gateway Arch. To get this huge gator out of the water, Wayne used his gator fishing line, bait, truck and son Bo Parker to help out. Visitors are welcome here everyday and are able to stroll through the lush green woodlands to spot a variety of animals including deer, skunks, raccoons, birds and more. [31] The show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel. The Jackson Zoo currently has around 250 animals representing over 120 different species. 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. "There is no question that the coastal region, especially the Pascagoula River, is home to some of the largest alligators in Mississippi," Flynt said. She's known for creating beautiful lifestyle books that are inviting, real, and accessible. Adrien Lamarre, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / public domain License. Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music. Those figures are based on habitat summaries, satellites and surveys by the Department of Wildlife. Something was pulling us back here. Laurel, MS Weather Forecast | AccuWeather Current Weather 8:18 PM 72 F RealFeel 71 Air Quality Fair Wind SW 6 mph Wind Gusts 6 mph Partly cloudy More Details Current Air Quality Today 2/27. My grandmother owned a restaurant, and because I was the oldest grandchild and a girl, she always had me around. Dana Sanders, Jr. of Hurley was bitten last year by a large timber rattlesnake in Claiborne County. Get a straight-razor shave from Jeremy Williams, the barber in the back of men's-clothing shop Guild & Gentry. City officials said restaurant staff noticed the unusual guest in the drive-thru lane. Combined with alligators in Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. Address: Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, 13723 Bluff Lake Road, Brooksville, Mississippi 39739, Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, sunrise to sunset. Wherever you are in Mississippi, theres plenty of options here to see alligators in their natural habitat and in zoos. LAUREL, Miss. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. The statistics provided on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website are about the same. "But I can remember 10 years ago there was an alligator taken off the Pascagoula River near the 1-10 boat ramp that weighed 938 pounds. Below I have listed the best places to see alligators in Mississippi including the exact spots and locations you should visit. "It was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something's going on hereI wonder what it is.' Council members are elected from single-member districts. Some years ago, during a drought, a 3' one was found . It is historically called the Singing River according to legends that the death chants of the late Pascagoula Indian tribes can still be heard during the night. I got involved after college. It is believed that there are somewhat more than 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with the majority residing in the state's southern region. Only one, however, can be longer than 7 feet. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. 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. "West Nile can be self-limited," said Dr. Alan Jones, University of Mississippi Medical Center chairman of Emergency Medicine. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". Wayne, an alligator trapper,said he had to put the alligator down because it was too big to relocate. Copyright 2016 WDAM. Head to The Loft for dinner, and sit in the garden if the weather is nice. 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. "No, there's never been an attack," said Brad Young, executive director of Mississippi Wildlife Federation. "It's obvious that part of the country has traditionally been home to alligators since any records we have on file. By the 1990s, its downtown was mostly abandoned, with businesses shuttered and buildings crumbling. "Overall, I think we have a healthy population.". Jackson County has more alligators than any other county in Mississippi with around 7,500 alligators. In alligator habitats, if you feed fish species on a regular basis, using mechanical feeders of fish is expressly forbidden. The state is mainly known for being home to one of North Americas most extended rivers, the Mississippi River. To control the alligator population, Mississippi adopted a hunting season seven years ago in which tags are awarded through a computer drawing. ':Alligator kills Mississippi woman's dog. Top Things to Do in Laurel, Mississippi: See Tripadvisor's 4,130 traveller reviews and photos of Laurel tourist attractions. 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. People are investing in their townnot to garner attention or elevate property values but simply to make Laurel better because this is where they want to stay and work and enjoy life. 30. Because of that Newell said all deer hunters using tree stands should have some type of lifeline that keeps them attached to the tree at all times. Another zoo in Mississippi that has alligators is Hattiesburg Zoo, located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. "Don't try to sneak up on the thing," Young said. The location of that shotgun house I grew up in was 401 South Cooks Avenue. However, not anyone can trap gators because it is illegal, and a person could get fined up to $10,000. But there was a time in the 1990s when I felt like this was the only retail store downtown. 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. Symptoms of the virus are generally mild. 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. West Nile virus does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but cases continue to be reported. Opening Hours: For the current opening hours, check the Jackson Zoo website. 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. I could go to the Woolworth and buy anything I wanted, but I still couldn't sit at the lunch counter. Among these animals present within the lake premises, alligators can also be seen. I'll take you.' Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles that become dormant and do not feed during the fall and winter in Mississippi. Due to the variety of habitats in the state, many interesting animals, like armadillos, bottlenose dolphins, flying squirrels, kingsnakes, and alligators, have been seen living here. In truth, they aren't. "I can't wait to get it on the bank.". She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. I just thought, 'Man, I need to do something different.' 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. Interstate 59 and U.S. Route 11 pass through Laurel, both highways leading southwest 30 miles (48km) to Hattiesburg and northeast 57 miles (92km) to Meridian. Everyone here gives credit to everyone else. 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. Did you know you can also see alligators in Louisiana? Danielle Claro is a New York Times bestselling author, editor, and book coach who specializes in bringing esoteric topics down to earth. By the 1920sthe peak of Laurel's lumber productionthe area's four mills were producing a total of one million board feet of lumber per day. We had a dream to move the bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around. Because alligators are. 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. 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 . In the window of a shop on Magnolia Street is the message "Bloom where you're planted." Laurel was the big city for us. No, it's not a crock: Two hunting parties in Mississippi both bagged alligators weighing more than 700 pounds. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. Making A Visit to Laurel, Mississippi Home of Home Town. 14. This alligator was captured September 2 by John Hamilton, who found it in Eagle Lake, north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Smith said. Leo Reynolds/Flickr. Address: 2918 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39209. The alligators are reaping the benefits of that, which results in abnormal specimens. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. The large river and pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. Alligators become dormant in fall/winter and dont feed during this time. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. Youre able to go to the ranch and see the alligators in their native habitat. Connect with her on LinkedIn. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases reported 97 deaths from the virus in 2014 nationwide. On December 28, 1954, an F3 tornado tore directly through the city, injuring 25 people.[12]. 'You could tell it was bone cracking. 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. Alligators are large reptiles with armored bodies, four short legs and a flat tail. 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. As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 18,393 people, 6,925 households, and 4,542 families residing in the city. Alligators . The alligator was living in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . Most people are uncomfortable around snakes and may be uncertain of their ability to identify them. That's my measure. The alligator was living in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30. ", The Napiers and their friends were not the only ones making headway here. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships, working for The Royal Obsession and Anatomie clothing. 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. Mayor Johnny Magee with his longtime barber, Richard Brown, owner of Hair World. I kept a journal online, and I mocked up some murals in Photoshop. The alligator was once an endangered species in the US, but it has now made a comeback. This is your guide to discovering Laurel, Mississippi, the official filming location for Home Town on HGTV, starring Laurel's own Erin and Ben Napier. "I was the first generation in my family who was not born here. 11 The Estimated Alligator Population In Florida Is Around One Million. He's keeping a century-old business alive. He had a bird's-eye view. In the process, they can lose teeth, along with when they fight. There were 7,804 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile (195.3/km2). 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. So I want you to go out and spread the goodness.' Mammals in the park range from tiny, secretive northern shrews to more obvious animals such as otters, beavers, coyotes, and white-tailed deer. The fall and winter in Mississippi that has alligators is Hattiesburg Zoo is massive! To identify them tourists reported alligator sightings are above ten feet long of amazing! 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