The population density was 1,192.3 people per square mile (460.2/km2). "They're shutting down their circulatory system," Flynt said. GULFPORT, Miss. I'm an HGTV junkie, so one night I was hunched over my computer, and here came a new TV show, Home Townfirst season, first episode. 'I was very suspicious':Fishweir, possibly hundreds of years old, found in Mississippi. Stay at Bonnie's Laurel Cottage, a super-friendly place owned by Bonnie McConkey (it's about five minutes from downtown). The alligators can also often be seen lounging around along the banks of the lakes. Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are among the most frequent activities. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. Wayne, an alligator trapper,said he had to put the alligator down because it was too big to relocate. I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. 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. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population. From the friendly people to the mouthwatering food, we are fully aware of what a gem of a state Mississippi is. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. There's a real possibility of being eaten alive. I could go to the Woolworth and buy anything I wanted, but I still couldn't sit at the lunch counter. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious diseases reported 97 deaths from the virus in 2014 nationwide. Im slowly working my way around the world and sharing my journey as I go. I started doing research into all these different places. 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. 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.. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. But like alligators, black bears have yet to be life-threatening in Mississippi. ", The Napiers and their friends were not the only ones making headway here. By the time an animal control officer showed up, the gator had taken cover under a pile of pallets next to the restaurants dumpster. Did you know that 84 species of reptiles, 426 species of birds, and over 120 species of fish make Mississippi their forever home? The gator pond is located 0.3 miles down the road on the right. 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 fact, we have never had a reported alligator attack on humans in Mississippi. a 27-year-old who goes by "Boo" and works for a trucking company in Laurel, Miss . Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males. Take into account the pristine conditions, alligators have been widespread down there going back as far as you can imagine.". "It can be just a fever.". If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. According to the Kppen Climate Classification system, Laurel has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. 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. Female alligators are protective, caring mothers. After completing the purchase, Eastman and the Gardiner brothers decided to make substantial improvements to their Laurel lumber operations by constructing a new and much larger, state-of-the-art lumber mill. Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. Here in Mississippi, we like our tea cold and sweet. "We've never had a single documented attack. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . "My mother was working at Lott Furniture Co. for 12 years before I was born. Flynt explained that the muscles used to bite down on prey are extremely strong, those used to open their mouths aren't. 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. Mr. City officials said restaurant staff noticed the unusual guest in the drive-thru lane. 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. He is also one of the 25 people in the state that can legally trap alligators. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. [11] The area is also prone to tornadoes. The Pascagoula River is one place capable of it.". They also have a denser (human) population near water. 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. 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. At least they provide the perfect opportunity for a party. 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. 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. "There is no question that the coastal region, especially the Pascagoula River, is home to some of the largest alligators in Mississippi," Flynt said. "But it would be an exceptional animal. "The Pascagoula has an overall abundant number of alligators, and they are widespread," Flynt said. 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. Because of those factors, Flynt said the danger they pose is low. Period," Flynt said. So I want you to go out and spread the goodness.' I do everything I can now to help people know that they can stay here and make a living, be comfortable, and be happy. Only one, however, can be longer than 7 feet. I would not be surprised if we see one (1,000 pounds). "I said man, this beats everything I've ever seen," Wayne said. It doesn't have claws, teeth or venom, either. 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. West Nile virus does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but cases continue to be reported. The best place to see alligators in Mississippi is at Moss Point, a small city located on the southeastern coast of Mississippi. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. Below I have listed the best places to see alligators in Mississippi including the exact spots and locations you should visit. 'You could tell it was bone cracking. 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. 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." The owner of Pearl's Diner dishes out homegrown hospitality. 28.9% of the population and 21.4% of families were below the poverty line. It's likely the reptiles are migrating from Mississippi, where there is a. I would take photos of a corner downtown that people might overlook. "She's a force," says Erin. I get emotional about it. 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. "It has a huge amount of food resources between fresh and salt water. Danielle Claro is a New York Times bestselling author, editor, and book coach who specializes in bringing esoteric topics down to earth. 8. Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. [31] The show portrays renovations of local homes in and near Laurel. Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are placed on top of their long head and project slightly above the water when the reptiles float at the surface, as they . Alligators . The address of City Hall is also 401. The alligator was living in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30. 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. Small town America being restored, one house at a time. We were going to go to the deep places together; we were going to genuinely love people.". I went to my car in tears, and I said to myself, 'Well, I guess I'm moving here.' In 2011, the . According to a report published by Wilderness and Environmental Medicine, an estimated 23 people were killed by alligators between 1948 and 2004. The Wausau-Southern mill from Wausau, Wisconsin, followed in 1911, and the Marathon mill from Memphis, Tennessee, in 1914. If youre looking for somewhere to see alligators in Mississippi then youre in the right place. I hold seven years of professional experience in the content world, focusing on nature, and wildlife. "Nary a one," Flynt said. 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. Leo Reynolds/Flickr. To find the gator pond, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 17,161. 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 We used to have trucks that went out and sold door-to-door till about 1995. sankax/Flickr. "The alligator itself is an apex predator. Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the. My husband, Joseph, would deliver before and after work and all weekend. (WHLT) An alligator must really love that chicken from Popeyes! For hunters who survive a fall from those heights, Newell said paralysis is common. 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. After all, the American alligator is also called the Mississippi alligator, and there it is, the Mississipi, right in St. Louis! 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