Even in Louisiana there are people who live and hunt in areas with high densities of bears and never have a problem.". According to the Grenada Star newspaper, it occurred in 2013. Theres plenty of places to see alligators in their natural habitat all over Mississippi from Jackson to the Mississippi Coast. It is estimated that there are just over 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with most centralized in the southern portion of the state. It gives the public the chance to see and study wildlife from the region and from all around the world. 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. Combined with Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. Despite the large population of alligators in South Mississippi, state wildlife officials say there has never been a reported alligator attack on humans. Even so, with several deaths each year in Mississippi, West Nile-carrying mosquitoes pose a danger. The alligators can also often be seen lounging around along the banks of the lakes. Flynt said the alluvial valley is gathering nutrients and is being funneled into the Mississippi River . "No, there's never been an attack," said Brad Young, executive director of Mississippi Wildlife Federation. This ranch features over 150-acres of swampland perfect for the large population of alligators that call this place home. "But it would be an exceptional animal. "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. Nationwide, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports there are 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually. If you enjoyed this, be sure to check out 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. a 27-year-old who goes by "Boo" and works for a trucking company in Laurel, Miss . The mayor is elected at-large. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. "Laurel is personal to me," says Holifield, who was born here and has lived close by nearly all her life. 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 . Studies found that inAmerican alligatoreggs, incubation at 93 degrees and above produces mostly males, while incubation at or lower than 86degrees produces mostly females. 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. "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 . Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. No, it's not a crock: Two hunting parties in Mississippi both bagged alligators weighing more than 700 pounds. The alligators are reaping the benefits of that, which results in abnormal specimens. "She's a force," says Erin. The Waterfront Hiking Trail In Mississippi Will Capture Your Imagination, Treat Yourself To A Homemade Ice Cream Cone At The Velvet Cream In Mississippi, This Secluded Nature Trail In Mississippi Is So Worthy Of An Adventure, This Enchanting And Historic Island In Mississippi Is The Perfect Day Trip Destination, 15 Things You Quickly Learn When You Move To Mississippi, 12 Things Only True Mississippians Can Tell You About Life In Mississippi, 10 Reasons Why People From Mississippi Are Unbelievably Tough, 11 Stereotypes About Mississippi That Need To Be Put To Rest Right Now, 11 Life Lessons Everyone Learns Growing Up In Mississippi.. 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. Twenty-five percent of the alligator population in Mississippi is found Jackson County and the. 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. NNehring/Getty Images. [22][23], The Mississippi Department of Mental Health South Mississippi State Hospital Crisis Intervention Center is in Laurel. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases reported 97 deaths from the virus in 2014 nationwide. The coastal area has always been part of their natural range. Most people are uncomfortable around snakes and may be uncertain of their ability to identify them. 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? 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. 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. The Pascagoula River is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in March. "We've never had a single documented attack. 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 alligator itself is an apex predator. Laurel is a city located in Jones County Mississippi.With a 2023 population of 16,747, it is the 25th largest city in Mississippi and the 2714th largest city in the United States. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. Subscriber exclusive:'A ferocious predator': Mississippi scientists uncover skeleton of ancient sea dragon, How rare is it to encounter a shark? A tall white man with a deep Southern . The most common place to find alligators in Mississippi is in the Pascagoula River. And my father said, 'You're still healthy, you love to cook, and you've got a passion for dealing with people. The 12-foot-1 alligator was killed by a hunter in the Forest Home Chute area, just off the Mississippi River, officials said on Facebook. Just the vastness and pristineness make it a great home for alligators to thrive in. He had a bird's-eye view. Thanks for reading this post on where to see alligators in Mississippi. A close encounter with some animals naturally causes fear in some people, but the biggest threats may not be so obvious. A bite from a venomous snake can be painful at best and even cause death. Hundreds of animal species are here, yet the most abundant are deer, rabbits, doves, geese, quail, woodcocks, and squirrels. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is located in the Davis Bayous area in Ocean Springs right on Mississippis southern coast. 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. Ben and I were the storytellers. [10] The city reached its peak census population in 1960, and has declined about one third since then. In some counties, 20% of alligator sightings are above ten feet long. "They just don't like people is what it comes down to. From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. "There is no question that the coastal region, especially the Pascagoula River, is home to some of the largest alligators in Mississippi," Flynt said. The tail and hind limbs of the dead alligator protruded from a hole in the bloated mid-body of the dead python. "Hurricanes and tropical storms do not have any significant impact on alligators," Flynt said. On December 28, 1954, an F3 tornado tore directly through the city, injuring 25 people.[12]. A longtime resident, she served as executive director of Laurel Main Street from 2011 to 2020. Thank you for reading! In 2017, a fishing couple caught a dead 10-foot alligator in the Neuse River near New Bern, according to N&O archives. [7] The area is considered the largest, finest, and most intact collection of the early 20th century architecture in Mississippi and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since September 4, 1987,[8] for both its historical value and for its wide variety of architectural styles. If a person is bitten by a venomous snake, the Mississippi State Department of Health suggests keeping the affected area at or slightly below the level of the heart and getting the victim to a hospital as quickly as possible. 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. And I went, 'Wow, I must go there!' 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. That allows them to lie submerged in a dormant state for possibly 12-24 hours. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. 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.' Males had a median income of $27,077 versus $17,336 for females. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, "the American alligator is found in the United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas. 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. The average household size was 2.61, and the average family size was 3.21. 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. Youll see a variety of other animals at the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Ocean Springs such as lizards, snakes, turtles, raccoons, birds and much more. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. Laurel has changed, and I'd like for people to know that.". ':Alligator kills Mississippi woman's dog. I would not be surprised if we see one (1,000 pounds). Follow The Clarion-Ledger Outdoors on Facebook and @BrianBroom on Twitter. And the beautiful mural on the side of a once-dilapidated building? So I stayed. Once a thriving logging community and cultural hub, Laurel gradually fell into disrepair. An adult alligator hasbetween 74 and 84 teeth thatare mostly hollow. While there have been roughly 30 fatal attacks in the last 60 years, all but two occurred in Florida. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. When they die, some must sink into the deep ocean. The residents of Laurel pulled together to transform the small town they called home. ", Have coffee and sticky buns at Sweet Somethings Bakery. As each person would retire, their stock would get bought by the other employees. Small portions are in the Jones County School District.[25]. 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. 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