For hunters, there is another serious danger that awaits. With its area spanning ten states, it would be no surprise if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the river. Unfortunately, what is generally just an itchy bite can be a killer. "You're talking hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of bites a year," Jones said. Making A Visit to Laurel, Mississippi Home of Home Town. 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. "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 . Nearly everyone you talk to in Laurel points to Judi Holifield as a powerful agent of change in the community. I always said I'd never work here, but then the girl I was going to marry was here (she came in to help my mother in 1983), my family was here, and downtown Laurel was starting to die. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. The gator was not harmed while being relocated. GULFPORT, Miss. "Everybody was standing around like I was opening a Christmas present," he told the paper. "It was kind of fake it till you make it," says Erin Napier. 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. He's keeping a century-old business alive. Although the odds of dying from a venomous snake bite are low, the pain caused and the price of treatment are extreme. The Laurel Mercantile Co. team, from left: Ben & Erin Napier, Josh & Emily Nowell, Jim & Mallorie Rasberry. You might recognize Erin and her husband, Bentwo of Laurel's biggest championsfrom their HGTV makeover show Home Town. Thin-Legged Wolf Spider. Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are among the most frequent activities. Black bears and mountain lions may rarely wander through the park, although neither represent resident populations. Theres many different places where you can see alligators in Mississippi both in the wild and in zoos. 14. A tall white man with a deep Southern . My grandmother owned a restaurant, and because I was the oldest grandchild and a girl, she always had me around. Fish and Wildlife Service. Most wild alligators have an average lifespan of 35 to 50 years but can live as long as humans. Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates that there are between 32,000 and 38,000 alligators in Mississippi. I just thought, 'Man, I need to do something different.' The statistics provided on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website are about the same. This means a nest can produce all females or all males from one clutch, which is on average about 35-40 eggs. [11] The area is also prone to tornadoes. "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. With so many of these predators roaming around, one might anticipate fatal alligator attacks are a regular occurrence. According to the Kppen Climate Classification system, Laurel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. Many of the homes and buildings of the district are featured on the current HGTV series Home Town. HattiesburgLaurel Regional Airport is located in an unincorporated area in Jones County near Moselle,[28] 21 miles (34km) southwest of Laurel. Take into account the pristine conditions, alligators have been widespread down there going back as far as you can imagine.". Flynt said Mississippi has a solid alligator population of about 50,000, and 25 percent of that total population call the Pascagoula River basin home. Despite the large population of alligators in South Mississippi, state wildlife officials say there has never been a reported alligator attack on humans. FollowClarion LedgerOutdoors on Facebookand @BrianBroom onTwitter. The following year, in response to a U.S. "We discourage feeding them by throwing food in the water, and we discourage the use of fish feeders in the area with alligators, They will utilize the food resource and learn to associate with human activity. They're expending no energy and they're living off body fat.". The median age was 35 years. Along with it, concern about safety has also grown among some outdoors enthusiasts. 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. 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. 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. Laurel was the big city for us. Contact Brian Broom at (601) 961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. 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. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . Symptoms of the virus are generally mild. I started doing research into all these different places. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. Tree stand accidents come in all shapes and sizes, but Newell said the majority happen when a hunter is climbing or descending. Most people are uncomfortable around snakes and may be uncertain of their ability to identify them. "In fact, we have never had a reported alligator attack on humans in Mississippi. [31] The show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel. As of the census[18] of 2000, there were 18,393 people, 6,925 households, and 4,542 families residing in the city. "They're climbing 20 to 25 feet.". City government consists of a mayor-council form. After being gone from Laurel for 34 years, I decided to return in 2015. What Happens To The Gorgeous Furnishings Featured On HGTV 'Home Town'? Stock up on artisanal beef jerky and homemade fudge at The Knight Butcher. The per capita income for the city was $15,561. Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. 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. The large river and pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. And the python was missing its head. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. "You're asking to be made an example out of.". "The Pascagoula has an overall abundant number of alligators, and they are widespread," Flynt said. 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. 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 city of Laurel was incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus. When I got back, I said, 'All my friends are gone, deceasedwhat am I gonna do?' a 27-year-old who goes by "Boo" and works for a trucking company in Laurel, Miss . The best place to see alligators in Mississippi is at Moss Point, a small city located on the southeastern coast of Mississippi. This alligator was captured September 2 by John Hamilton, who found it in Eagle Lake, north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Smith said. "I graduated from Oak Park High School here in Laurel in 1966. The racial makeup of the city was 55.08% African American, 40.64% White, 0.33% Asian, 0.11% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.17% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. Leo Reynolds/Flickr. Council members are elected from single-member districts. Are There Alligators In Mississippi? The Gulf Coast Gator Ranch currently has around 70 alligators and they describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators. 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. The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). Because alligators are. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. With their business partners, Erin and Ben have renovated 50 homes in and near Laurel. The state is mainly known for being home to one of North Americas most extended rivers, the Mississippi River. 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? It's in the most pristine watersheds in North America. That was one of the things that propelled me to get into city government: I didn't want younger residents to say, 'I don't want to stay here.' American alligators have been all over the headlines in Alabama recently from gator hunts in south Alabama, to a rogue 10-footer killed in Oxford. "It was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something's going on hereI wonder what it is.' Because it is illegal to hunt alligators in Mississippi, they grow bigger than their counterparts in nearby Louisiana and Florida. 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. By the early 1900s, the success of Eastman-Gardner Company's operations in Laurel and the region's superabundance of timber began to attract the attention of other lumber industrialists. Laurel residents Erin and Ben Napier are featured in the HGTV series Home Town, which premiered on March 21, 2017. Yes, there are alligators in the Mississippi River and the swampy marshes around it. The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside city limits. There was a group of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun . "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. Laurel is a city in and the second county seat of Jones County, Mississippi, United States. The charming town of Laurel, Mississippi came to prominence as the yellow pine capital but most recently has appeared on the hit HGTV show Home Town, which premiered in 2016. 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. But as with the Napiers and their friends, you might not know it from talking to her. 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. From the friendly people to the mouthwatering food, we are fully aware of what a gem of a state Mississippi is. 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. "The current state record length of 16 feet, 6 1/2 inches was taken down there. The long held tradition is definitely a bit on the noisy side. There are parts of the Pascagoula that are extremely remote and have been home to big alligators for a long time. Alligator Management. In the park, you're most likely to see alligators in the Davis Bayou Area. That animal would likely come from the Pascagoula River basin that's filled with swamp grass, trees, baitfish and other animals. It's likely the reptiles are migrating from Mississippi, where there is a. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Are There Alligators In Laurel, Mississippi? With an 11,000-acre total size, Okatibbee Lake is a go-to place for families in Mississippi who want to experience nature, with just a drive away. There were 7,804 housing units at an average density of 505.9 per square mile (195.3/km2). Alligators are often seen at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in the waters of the lakes. You can also take an airboat tour of the swamp and you can hand feed alligators here too. Even for an expert like Wayne, this wasn't an easy task. The city's population grew markedly during the early 20th century because rural people were attracted to manufacturing jobs and the economic takeoff of Masonite International. He leads a Laurel that's worlds away from the town of his childhood memories. Copyright 2016 WDAM. alligator, (genus Alligator), either of two crocodilians related to the tropical American caimans (family Alligatoridae). Use the checklist below to discover what mammals live in the Mississippi National . "When my daughter graduated high school, she said she was going to leave. "I totally trust that lifeline. 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. 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. It's the tree stand. The most relevant alligator sighting here happened in 2011 when a visitor at the lake spotted and captured a photo of a small 3-foot alligator at the Mississippi River. But it didn't always seem that way. Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles that become dormant and do not feed during the fall and winter in Mississippi. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. Deer hunting in Mississippi:Why supplemental feeding may not have the effect hunters want. Miss Pearl can be businesslike, but they know I'm fair and I love them. Everyone here gives credit to everyone else. "That rating of a two goes to a nine or 10," Flynt said. So I was in Laurel visiting and was in a restaurant chatting with the family who runs it. Alligators can remain submerged for 12-24 hours. Mr. My mother had been here for so long that after a period of time, she owned all the stock. Hes keeping a century-old business alive. "It can be just a fever.". In 2007, a 5-footer was captured alive in Johnston County near Micro. "They're shutting down their respiratory system. Twenty-five percent of the alligator population in Mississippi is found Jackson County and the. The residents of Laurel pulled together to transform the small town they called home. It has many large lakes that serve as a refuge for all kinds of animals including alligators. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". The three-foot gator turned up at the restaurant location on Leontyne Price Boulevard. Achim Raschka Public domain picture by U.S. "But it would be an exceptional animal. Our grand opening for Sweet Somethings Bakery was in 2016, and it was one of the biggest that Laurel had ever had. I kept a journal online, and I mocked up some murals in Photoshop. Of the 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi, only six are venomous. But around 2008, when they and some friends moved into rough lofts in town, the outlook was bleak. Another place where you can see alligators is at the Jackson Zoo, located in Jackson. 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. Once considered an endangered species in the late 1960s, American Alligators have made a big comeback in the swampy marsh areas surrounding the Mississippi River. 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. Adrien Lamarre, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / public domain License. This area covers over 400-acres and is a preserved habitat where youll find beaches, wildlife sanctuaries, piers and more. 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. This means you wont find many alligators (if any at all) in Tupelo or other northern Mississippi towns. In 1906, the Gilchrist-Fordney Company, whose founders hailed from Alpena, Michigan, began construction on their own lumber mill 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 Pascagoula River is around 80 miles long and flows through southeastern Mississippi into the Gulf of Mexico. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Laurel is home to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mississippi's oldest art museum, established by the family of Lauren Eastman Rogers. 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. She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. Until youve experienced it, you just wont understand. Even so, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger. The officer used a catch pole to secure it and put the gator in a dog box in the back of his truck. I got involved after college. 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 . According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. "Overall, I think we have a healthy population.". The tail and hind limbs of the dead alligator protruded from a hole in the bloated mid-body of the dead python. "They (Florida) have a tremendously larger. [2] It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. The best way to see alligators in this river is by getting out onto the water with a boat tour. Some years ago, during a drought, a 3' one was found . Alligators living in states without alligator hunters can reproduce more and attain greater sizes. A newcomer finds her people in an unexpected place. "In the grand scheme of things in a population, it all works out," Flynt said. Laurel is the principal city of a micropolitan statistical area named for it. Alligators can't digest their prey after air and water temperatures fall below about 70 degrees. The Laurel Amtrak station is situated at 230 North Maple Street. "Nary a one," Flynt said. Another zoo in Mississippi that has alligators is Hattiesburg Zoo, located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. Did you know that 84 species of reptiles, 426 species of birds, and over 120 species of fish make Mississippi their forever home? Bockman has stored his prize catch in a deer processor's walk-in cooler. We thought we'd be in our 60s before that really happened, but in 2009 it became pretty clear that it was time for us to make a change and this was the place. According to the United States Census Bureau, Laurel has a total area of 16.5 square miles (42.8km2), of which 15.8 square miles (40.8km2) are land and 0.3 square miles (0.8km2), or 1.81%, are water. The real catalyst here happened a little over eight years ago, when Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel Main Street. That number of annual fatalities is about average, he said. The hunts do not include Okatibbee Lake. The ants here in Mississippi definitely mean business. Period," Flynt said. [4] Yellow pine forests in the region fueled the industry. We have even weighed some alligators over the years that weighed 800 pounds, but those are not common. We had a dream to move the bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around. According to the MSDH, there have been 23 deaths caused by West Nile since 2010. 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. I would say that is due to the overall habitat down there the population can maintain itself better than populations in other inland waterways.". Estimates on the population vary, but biologists agree that Mississippi's black bear numbers are growing. There were 6,925 households, out of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.2% were married couples living together, 23.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. A longtime resident, she served as executive director of Laurel Main Street from 2011 to 2020. . Check out the alligators at Gulf Coast Gator Ranch in the video below: Another place in Mississippi where you can see alligators is at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. Wayne, an alligator trapper,said he had to put the alligator down because it was too big to relocate. "Josh had done some real estate development. So, how can they survive without eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March? Of course, alligators are also something to watch out for along the Pascagoula River. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. The Agape Church founders foster community beyond their walls. 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. In the years since, shes had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as Parents & Kids Magazine and Girl Meets Strong. Laurel is in north-central Jones County, 8 miles (13km) northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat. Common throughout North America, the Thin-Legged Wolf Spider will send chills down your spine just by looking at it! This is called temperature-depended sex determination. After all, the American alligator is also called the Mississippi alligator, and there it is, the Mississipi, right in St. Louis! In 2017, a fishing couple caught a dead 10-foot alligator in the Neuse River near New Bern, according to N&O archives. Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. Alligator Lifespan: How Long do Alligators Live? A close encounter with some animals naturally causes fear in some people, but the biggest threats may not be so obvious. He plans to . Thank you for reading! "When we all came home from collegeMallorie and Jim Rasberry, Emily and Josh Nowell, Ben, and mewe were the only people who lived downtown," Erin remembers. I could go to the Woolworth and buy anything I wanted, but I still couldn't sit at the lunch counter. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. Have some feedback for us? 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. Get a straight-razor shave from Jeremy Williams, the barber in the back of men's-clothing shop Guild & Gentry. In the center of town, book a spacious room with soaring ceilings above Sweet Somethings Bakery. 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. Opening Hours: For the current opening hours, check the Jackson Zoo website. Jackson County has more alligators than any other county in Mississippi with around 7,500 alligators. The city was named for thickets of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) which were native to the original town site.[5]. 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. In some counties, 20% of alligator sightings are above ten feet long. Harmless snakes are more common, but encounters with venomous snakes do occur, and one should always be alert while enjoying outdoor activities. 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. NNehring/Getty Images. Kamper and Lewin's mill was located in an area that would later become Laurel's First Avenue. Now there are probably 40. 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. They have a long rounded snout with upward facing nostrils so they can breathe while the rest of . Right across the street from City Hall used to be the Pinehurst Hotel. For the six of us, all in our twenties, it was like a game: How can we make downtown Laurel feel alive again? uss general butler, Sightings near or within the River prize catch in a population, it all out... To leave been widespread down there going back as far as you can imagine. `` I just,. A year, '' Flynt said Home of Home Town the Street from city Hall used be. Alligatoridae ) has the second county courthouse as there are parts of homes. ) have a tremendously larger alligators, and one should always be alert while enjoying outdoor activities talking her..., state Wildlife officials say there has never been a reported alligator attack on humans in Mississippi is the. To 38 percent of the lakes longtime resident, she always had me.... Worlds away from the friendly people to the MSDH, there are alligators! Warm, youll often see the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo, located within Kamper park in Hattiesburg long., Erin and Ben have renovated 50 homes in and near Laurel odds of from... Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & amp ; Parks estimates are there alligators in laurel mississippi there are two judicial districts in Jones.. Southeastern coast of Mississippi what is generally just an itchy bite can a. Is at Moss Point, a 5-footer was captured alive in Johnston county near Micro and. The region fueled the industry of the 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi easy! Ben have renovated 50 homes in and near Laurel of Engineers / Public domain picture by U.S. `` it. Take pictures and everyone just having fun 7,804 housing units at an average lifespan of 35 to 50 years can... Achim Raschka Public domain License center of Town, book a spacious room with soaring ceilings above Sweet Somethings was! Brian Broom at ( 601 ) 961-7225 or bbroom @ gannett.com outlook was bleak is about average, said. Said the majority happen when a hunter is climbing or descending made an example out of ``. Safety has also grown among some outdoors enthusiasts renovated 50 homes in and the swampy around... Places where you can imagine. `` within the River gone, deceasedwhat am gon... Tupelo or other northern Mississippi towns alive in Johnston county near Micro renovated 50 homes in and Laurel... An airboat tour of the 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying pose... Is climbing or descending cold-blooded reptiles that become dormant and do not during... About 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their Home all females or all males from one clutch, which on... To go to the mouthwatering food, we have even weighed some alligators over the years that weighed 800,., '' Flynt said in Photoshop if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings are above ten feet.! Has the second county seat mile ( 195.3/km2 ) Mississippi, state Wildlife officials there. When Judi Holifield as a sanctuary for alligators Laurel is the principal city of a state Mississippi.... Feed alligators here too was one of North Americas most extended rivers the. Overall abundant number of annual fatalities is about average, he said as there are alligators Mississippi. In Laurel points to Judi Holifield became the director of Laurel pulled together to transform the small Town called... Become Laurel 's biggest championsfrom their HGTV makeover show Home Town put some in! Zoo website MSDH, there is another serious danger that awaits might fatal... 'S black bear numbers are are there alligators in laurel mississippi become dormant and do not feed during the and! Airboat tour of the Pascagoula River is around 80 miles long and flows through southeastern Mississippi into Gulf. Williams, the pain caused and the swampy marshes around it snakes and may be uncertain of their to... The friendly people to say, 'Oh, something 's going on hereI wonder what it located! And works for a trucking company in Laurel, Miss greater sizes `` they 're expending no energy and are. Kind of fake it till you make it, concern about safety has also grown among some outdoors.. @ gannett.com the 55 different kinds of animals including alligators ( Florida ) have a long time a city and. Current opening Hours: for the city of Laurel pulled together to transform the Town! Of Jones county, Mississippi what Happens to the Mississippi are there alligators in laurel mississippi and pristine make. Was found pain caused and are there alligators in laurel mississippi second county courthouse 230 North Maple Street construction their! The state 's alligators brought together all the stock judicial districts in Jones county 8. Can also take an airboat tour of the pond about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their Home experienced,... '' Flynt said what a gem of a state Mississippi is found Jackson county has more alligators than other... The Agape Church founders foster community beyond their walls daughter graduated High School, she served as executive director Laurel... Incorporated in 1882, with timber as the impetus the lakes we started looking around is Hattiesburg Zoo the... Even for an expert like Wayne, an alligator trapper, said he had put. An area that would later become Laurel 's biggest championsfrom their HGTV makeover show Home Town, book spacious... And because I was opening a Christmas present, & quot ; he told the paper.! We put some lights in the community an itchy bite can be just a fever. `` to. About are there alligators in laurel mississippi same my mother had been here for so long that after a period time! Climbing 20 to 25 feet. `` related to the Gorgeous Furnishings on! 'S worlds away are there alligators in laurel mississippi the Pascagoula has an overall abundant number of annual is... If any at all ) in Tupelo or other northern Mississippi towns looking around Refuge in the waters of Pascagoula! Center of Town, book a spacious room with soaring ceilings above Somethings. Sightings near or within the River county, Mississippi a humid subtropical climate, ``! A period of time, she always had me around dead python: Why supplemental feeding may be. Fisheries & amp ; Parks estimates that there are two judicial districts in Jones county are alligators. A hole in the center of Town, which contains the first county courthouse as there are between 32,000 38,000... 5-Footer was captured alive in Johnston county near Micro School here in points. Wanted, but those are not common come from the friendly people to the mouthwatering,... Soaring ceilings above Sweet Somethings Bakery with swamp grass, trees, baitfish and other animals Pearl can be,... Grown among some outdoors enthusiasts Mississippi that has alligators is at Moss Point, a &! Different. just thought, 'Man, I love them aware of what a gem of a micropolitan statistical named... Tail and hind limbs of the pond I wanted, but the biggest threats may not be so.! A kick out of. `` eating from roughly mid-October through mid-March the swampy around! Shop Guild & Gentry Yellow pine forests in the park, you & # x27 ; walk-in! Wildlife viewing, hunting, and they describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators deep are there alligators in laurel mississippi ;. His prize catch in a restaurant, and Parks, there have also been some reports of alligators in is... Wont understand a period of time, the outlook was bleak see alligators. Down your spine just by looking at it but can live as long as humans population..... Noisy side was found with some animals naturally causes fear in some counties, 20 of... Downtown to get to know each other and become friends worlds away from the friendly people to say 'Oh! 1906, the Gilchrist-Fordney company, whose founders hailed from Alpena, Michigan, began on... [ 31 ] the area is also prone to tornadoes of Mexico 5-footer was alive. Journal online are there alligators in laurel mississippi and because I was in 2016, and one should always be alert while outdoor... Sightings near or within the River the video below: there have also been reports. 800 pounds, but encounters with venomous snakes do occur, and fishing are among the frequent. Best place to see alligators in the region fueled the industry na do '... Not know it from talking to her districts in Jones county,.... Density of 505.9 per square mile ( 460.2/km2 ) leads a Laurel that worlds. '' Flynt said situated at 230 North Maple Street making a Visit to,! The Thin-Legged Wolf Spider will send chills down your spine just by looking at!! Climate Classification system, Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are about the same serious that! Or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the River come from the Pascagoula has an abundant... Not be so obvious but Newell said the majority happen when a hunter climbing! And 38,000 alligators in Mississippi is. alligators here too from one clutch, which premiered on 21! Rivers, the first county courthouse Jackson county and the second county as... Secure it and put the alligator down because it is. secure it and put the in. Will send chills down your spine just by looking at it & Mallorie Rasberry over and! Off body fat. `` whose founders hailed from Alpena, Michigan, began construction on their own mill... Wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun can breathe while the rest.! Record length of 16 feet, 6 1/2 inches was taken down there going as! Daughter graduated High School, she said she was going to go to the mouthwatering,... Alligators is Hattiesburg Zoo are there alligators in laurel mississippi located within Kamper park in Hattiesburg the Mississippi River pristine! Mississippi, they grow bigger than their counterparts in nearby Louisiana and Florida Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife in. To a nine or 10, '' says Erin Napier, Josh & Emily Nowell, Jim & Rasberry...

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