So I was in Laurel visiting and was in a restaurant chatting with the family who runs it. 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. "I. 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. Ricky Flynt, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Alligator Program coordinator, said it's a fascinating animal. Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. The heaviest one taken (during the 2012 permit hunting season) down there was 636 pounds. We were just like, 'Yeah, Laurel's a cool placeyou didn't know?' The long held tradition is definitely a bit on the noisy side. 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. Several cautions by the lake management are now made to prevent further interaction with potentially-dangerous alligators. GULFPORT, Miss. Follow The Clarion-Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter. Unfortunately, what is generally just an itchy bite can be a killer. It just means we appreciate it that much more when we do get it. I grew up in a community called the KC in a three-room shotgun house. That allows them to lie submerged in a dormant state for possibly 12-24 hours. The citys animal control supervisor said alligator sightings are becoming more common. Address: 3500 Park Rd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564, Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 6am to 10pm. By Danielle Claro Updated on October 1, 2022 In This Article View All Reviving Interest in Laurel Laurel Main Street Renews the Town The People Changing Laurel, Mississippi Where to Eat Where to Visit The amazing-ness of Mississippi is definitely not lost on us locals. Check out the alligators of Hattiesburg Zoo in the video below: There have also been some reports of alligators in Laurel, Mississippi. Are There Alligators In Laurel, Mississippi? I actually said it out loud. Wherever you are in Mississippi, theres plenty of options here to see alligators in their natural habitat and in zoos. A newcomer finds her people in an unexpected place. . After that sighting, specific cautions advise lake visitors to report to the authorities once they spot an alligator during their visit to the lake. Laurel is currently declining at a rate of -0.82% annually and its population has decreased by -2.41% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 17,161 in 2020. GULFPORT, Miss. The residents of Laurel pulled together to transform the small town they called home. We had a dream to move the bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around. There was even a 727-pound gator caught in the Mississippi River back in 2017. "He does what he wants to do.". A good field guide to reptiles can help you identify snakes and understand their habits. 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. Right across the street from City Hall used to be the Pinehurst Hotel. Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. Twenty-five percent of the alligator population in Mississippi is found Jackson County and the. We recently estimated that there are 32,000-38,000 alligators and about 408,000 acres of alligator habitat in Mississippi. 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. In 1893, the new Eastman-Gardiner Company mill began operations, using the best technology and labor-saving devices of the day. 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. "No, there's never been an attack," said Brad Young, executive director of Mississippi Wildlife Federation. I was born at the South Mississippi State Hospital, known by most people as the charity hospital. That's my measure. Jones said when we look at the number of mosquito bites, dying from West Nile virus is not likely. But it didn't always seem that way. Alligators . 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. Young, who is a biologist and spent many years working with black bears, said low numbers of bears in the state is part of the reason they've not been a threat, but their nature should also be considered. Every time we would come home to see our family, we'd drive around and look at houses and land. Most alligators in Mississippi can be found in the southern two thirds of the state. "It has a huge amount of food resources between fresh and salt water. The Pascagoula River is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike. "It was about sparking curiosity, getting people to say, 'Oh, something's going on hereI wonder what it is.' 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 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. Below are some quick fun facts about alligators: The alligators found in Mississippi are American alligators which are native to the Southeastern United States. Period," Flynt said. Thank you! They also have a denser (human) population near water. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. The Laurel Mercantile Co. team, from left: Ben & Erin Napier, Josh & Emily Nowell, Jim & Mallorie Rasberry. All rights reserved. The most common place to find alligators in Mississippi is in the Pascagoula River. LAUREL, Miss. Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates, Where To See Crocodiles & Alligators In California Complete Guide, Where To See Alligators In Louisiana Complete Guide, Where To See Flamingos In Florida Complete Guide. But it can also be a killer. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . I just thought, 'Man, I need to do something different.' She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. Ben and I were the storytellers. "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. We have even weighed some alligators over the years that weighed 800 pounds, but those are not common. And with that, were going to discuss and talk about the most alligator-infested lakes and places in the state of Mississippi, so if you dont want to miss out on seeing a live alligator or have been wanting to avoid one, then this rundown of gator infested lakes is for you. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. 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. When speaking of alligators, Mississippi is one of the most alligator-infested places in the country. "Not in the recorded history of Mississippi history, anyway.". Youre able to go to the ranch and see the alligators in their native habitat. 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. 37.5% of those under the age of 18 and 19.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. The gator was not harmed while being relocated. Contact the AZ Animals editorial team. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. "But it would be an exceptional animal. 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. However, that's not typically the case as Flynt said there is usually a range of temperatures in a nest, producing a healthy mix of males and females. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Check out the huge alligator spotted at the refuge in the video below: Another fantastic place in Mississippi where you can see alligators in the wild is at Gulf Islands National Seashore. I explained my cataracts theory, and this woman behind the counter looked at me and said, 'I'll take you.' Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. "It's obvious that part of the country has traditionally been home to alligators since any records we have on file. When they die, some must sink into the deep ocean. Between the perfectly fried seafood and the variety of local specialties and creations, such as the slug burger, dieting is basically impossible here. Mayor Johnny Magee with his longtime barber, Richard Brown, owner of Hair World. It was over 13 feet long and weighed 740 pounds. After being gone from Laurel for 34 years, I decided to return in 2015. Wayne, an alligator trapper, said he had to put the. There are still no major incidents between alligators and humans. Despite the many alligators in South Mississippi, Flynt said alligators are not a direct threat to humans unless an animal is fed by humans on a regular basis. The city was named for thickets of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) which were native to the original town site.[5]. There are parts of the Pascagoula that are extremely remote and have been home to big alligators for a long time. I got involved after college. 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. 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. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have been living here. Contact Brian Broom at (601) 961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com. By the time an animal control officer showed up, the gator had taken cover under a pile of pallets next to the restaurants dumpster. That breaks down to 19 percent of the state's preferred habitat for alligators in those three counties. I do everything I can now to help people know that they can stay here and make a living, be comfortable, and be happy. ", Have coffee and sticky buns at Sweet Somethings Bakery. And the beautiful mural on the side of a once-dilapidated building? 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. The name of the hunter was not released. From the friendly people to the mouthwatering food, we are fully aware of what a gem of a state Mississippi is. [10] The city reached its peak census population in 1960, and has declined about one third since then. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. Once a thriving logging community and cultural hub, Laurel gradually fell into disrepair. 30. Alligators, like other crocodilians, are large animals with powerful tails that are used both in defense and in swimming. "With 38 percent of the population being from down there and to have no attacks is good," Flynt said. According to TWRA, all of the confirmed gator sightings have been in the extreme southwest part of the state. "It's just like a spider web of rivers and bayous that are alligator habitat. In 2017, a fishing couple caught a dead 10-foot alligator in the Neuse River near New Bern, according to N&O archives. To have no attacks is good, '' said Brad Young, executive director of Mississippi,. Know? 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