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. Theres many different places where you can see alligators in Mississippi both in the wild and in zoos. "I don't think a 1,000-pound alligator is out of the question," Flynt said. Until youve experienced it, you just wont understand. ", Jim, Erin's cousin, became one of the founders of the group Laurel Main Street. We were just like, 'Yeah, Laurel's a cool placeyou didn't know?' "It's obvious that part of the country has traditionally been home to alligators since any records we have on file. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. 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. The following year, in response to a U.S. 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. "With 38 percent of the population being from down there and to have no attacks is good," Flynt said. We have seven kids and 10 grandbabies, with another on the way. sankax/Flickr. From the friendly people to the mouthwatering food, we are fully aware of what a gem of a state Mississippi is. "That lifeline will save your life," Newell said. I get emotional about it. When I got back, I said, 'All my friends are gone, deceasedwhat am I gonna do?' 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. "The potential is there," said Ricky Flynt, Alligator Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. In 2010, I started a bakery out of a 10- by 14-foot building beside our house. The owner of Pearl's Diner dishes out homegrown hospitality. The current length record is 13 feet 6.5 inches, set by an alligator taken on the Pascagoula River in 2008. Connect with her on LinkedIn. See full Affiliate Disclosure here. Alligators can remain submerged for 12-24 hours. 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. 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 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. Its amazing more of us dont suffer a heat stroke. However, the last significant sighting dates back to 2017, when someone from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers stated that he saw three alligators at the lake. and signals that you've found the historic district of this small Mississippi town. 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. 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. It has many large lakes that serve as a refuge for all kinds of animals including alligators. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. The hunts do not include Okatibbee Lake. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Im slowly working my way around the world and sharing my journey as I go. If you've ever lived in a small town or are familiar with how . Making A Visit to Laurel, Mississippi Home of Home Town. Trapper Wayne traps alligators and other nuisance animals for a living and has done this for about 35 years. Alligators are found in coastal habitats from Texas to South Carolina, and occasionally venture into saltwater. After being gone from Laurel for 34 years, I decided to return in 2015. "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. Although alligators can be found in ponds, lakes, canals, rivers, swamps, and bayous in Louisiana, they are most common in our coastal marshes. The premise of the show is simple, and wonderful all at once. Lots of companies offer boat tours which will take you out into the river for a chance of spotting amazing wildlife including alligators. Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the. 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. As the Hospitality State, well always be friendly towards visitors, but that doesnt mean we want them to start calling Mississippi home. ", 'I knew that was it':Caught in the jaws of an alligator. Flynt explained that the muscles used to bite down on prey are extremely strong, those used to open their mouths aren't. I've got about 18 or 20 on my staff. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. But it didn't always seem that way. The alligator was living in a private lagoon in Laurel and was removed on June 30. 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. [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. Deer hunting and squirrel hunting are the most popular, with turkey hunting available during spring. To learn more, explore Mississippi's Amtrak stations below: Mississippi Amtrak Stations City of New Orleans. Whena tooth breaks off, a new one grows to take its place. The amount of alligator habitat in Mississippi is only a fraction of that in Florida.". 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.. JONES COUNTY, MS (WDAM) - A Jones County family business traps nuisance animals that people are scared of like snakes, bats and even alligators. Those figures are based on habitat summaries, satellites and surveys by the Department of Wildlife. And the man next to her said, 'She's too busy. Asides from writing, I enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music. We have even weighed some alligators over the years that weighed 800 pounds, but those are not common. Council members are elected from single-member districts. I really could see it. "You're asking to be made an example out of.". 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. Not only did Sanders endure pain and several days in a Vicksburg medical facility, his treatment bills totaled $442,000. Mechanization of agriculture reduced the number of farming jobs. I kept a journal online, and I mocked up some murals in Photoshop. . The large river and pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators. Laurel is home to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art, Mississippi's oldest art museum, established by the family of Lauren Eastman Rogers. He had a bird's-eye view. 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. This alligator was captured September 2 by John Hamilton, who found it in Eagle Lake, north of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Smith said. 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 . And the beautiful mural on the side of a once-dilapidated building? It is believed that there are somewhat more than 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with the majority residing in the state's southern region. Period," Flynt said. "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. Achim Raschka Public domain picture by U.S. "West Nile can be self-limited," said Dr. Alan Jones, University of Mississippi Medical Center chairman of Emergency Medicine. Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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? A close encounter with some animals naturally causes fear in some people, but the biggest threats may not be so obvious. 8. Another zoo in Mississippi that has alligators is Hattiesburg Zoo, located within Kamper Park in Hattiesburg. Wherever you are in Mississippi, theres plenty of options here to see alligators in their natural habitat and in zoos. Everyone here gives credit to everyone else. Between the gator's captor, Smith and others, the group. The best place to see alligators in Mississippi is at Moss Point, a small city located on the southeastern coast of Mississippi. Several cautions by the lake management are now made to prevent further interaction with potentially-dangerous alligators. 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. here in living color is proof that there once were alligators, and this is what they looked like! The Laurel Mercantile Co. team, from left: Ben & Erin Napier, Josh & Emily Nowell, Jim & Mallorie Rasberry. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Most people are uncomfortable around snakes and may be uncertain of their ability to identify them. "The alligator don't take nothing off of nobody," Wayne said. Where to Find Alligators in the Mississippi River 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 . By the time an animal control officer showed up, the gator had taken cover under a pile of pallets next to the restaurants dumpster. He leads a Laurel that's worlds away from the town of his childhood memories. GULFPORT, Miss. Despite the large population of alligators in South Mississippi, state wildlife officials say there has never been a reported alligator attack on humans. Wayne, an alligator trapper, said he had to put the. Okay, you have to admit, hes kind of cute. What Happens To The Gorgeous Furnishings Featured On HGTV 'Home Town'? Head over to the gator pond, as it is known by locals, to see the alligators! With their business partners, Erin and Ben have renovated 50 homes in and near Laurel. We bought this place in 2015 and began renovations (Joseph is a contractor). The Wausau-Southern mill from Wausau, Wisconsin, followed in 1911, and the Marathon mill from Memphis, Tennessee, in 1914. We had a dream to move the bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around. 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. According to TWRA, all of the confirmed gator sightings have been in the extreme southwest part of the state. Head to The Loft for dinner, and sit in the garden if the weather is nice. In alligator habitats, if you feed fish species on a regular basis, using mechanical feeders of fish is expressly forbidden. "Harrison County ranks No. . Claro was deputy editor of Real Simple magazine and is coauthor, with Dr. Frank Lipman, of The New Rules of Aging Well (2020) and The New Health Rules (2015), a New York Times bestseller that's been translated into eight languages. Laurel is the headquarters of the Jones County Sheriff's Department, which administers in the county. Louisiana and Florida have the largest alligator populationsthere are more than one million wild alligators in each state. I just thought, 'Man, I need to do something different.' "I'd been in Denver, Colorado, most of my adult life (though I grew up on a big farm in South Dakota). The National Read Across America Day takes place every year on March 2, Geisels birthday. GULFPORT, Miss. Of course, alligators are also something to watch out for along the Pascagoula River. The river is also strongly preserved as it is one of the largest undammed rivers in the United States. Are There Alligators In Mississippi? According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. 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. Four deaths a year may not seem like a large number. You will recognize them from the latest hit show on HGTV. Between the perfectly fried seafood and the variety of local specialties and creations, such as the slug burger, dieting is basically impossible here. Something was pulling us back here. The Gulf Coast Gator Ranch currently has around 70 alligators and they describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators. Still, the most relevant can be dated to last year, in 2021, when someone spotted a 12-foot gator within the Pascagoula River drainage system. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. Jackson County is home to an estimated 12,500 alligators. By the end of World War I, Laurel's mills were producing and shipping more yellow pine lumber than those of any other location in the entire world. The alligators here can often be found in small lagoons, ponds and swamps. Address: 2918 W Capitol St, Jackson, MS 39209. Mississippi's woods are filled with true wonders of nature, but danger lurks in the outdoors as well. [2] It is located northeast of Ellisville, the first county seat, which contains the first county courthouse. 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. "They're shutting down their respiratory system. Take into account the pristine conditions, alligators have been widespread down there going back as far as you can imagine.". Hattiesburg Zoo is a small 12-acre zoo that is home to a variety of animals from all around the world including alligators. (WHLT) An alligator must really love that chicken from Popeyes! Combined with alligators in Jackson County, the two make up almost 30% of Mississippis alligator population. Laurel is packed tight with people like thatcommunity members who care and who use their unique skills to help make a difference. So it was really hard to even entertain the idea of doing something else, but I was in a high-pressure management job and beginning to deal with some ageism, kind of getting squeezed out. Unfortunately, what is generally just an itchy bite can be a killer. With large teeth and bone-crushing jaws, large alligators can easily kill a human. So I was in Laurel visiting and was in a restaurant chatting with the family who runs it. "I graduated from Oak Park High School here in Laurel in 1966. "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. 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. Erin Napier Pens Inspiring Note About How Far Laurel, Mississippi, Has Come, What It's Really Like To Have Your Home Renovated On Ben And Erin Napier's 'Home Town', Ree Drummond Convinced Ben And Erin Napier To Star In Upcoming Christmas Movie. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. We opened in 2017, and now there are very few days you can come in here that we don't have a full house.". 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. "People aren't climbing eight or 10 feet anymore," Newell said. "It will affect the rest of your life and your family.". Ricky Flynt, alligator coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, said the estimated number of alligators in Hancock County is fewer than 5,000 and in Harrison County the number is fewer than 2,000. If you use a windshield cover, you can at least forget about scrapping the ice off your windshield to save some time and hassle. Because of those factors, Flynt said the danger they pose is low. Alligators can be found in every county of the state, but southeast Mississippi reigns king. 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. Dana Sanders, Jr. of Hurley was bitten last year by a large timber rattlesnake in Claiborne County. Located in the heart of the piney woods ecoregion of the southeastern United States, the land site that would eventually become Laurel was densely covered with forests of virgin longleaf pine, making the area an attractive one to pioneering lumberjacks and sawmill operators in the late 19th century. My son is there, and my daughter-in-law, who's like my best friend. The gators that you rarely hear about, but . Theres plenty of places to see alligators in their natural habitat all over Mississippi from Jackson to the Mississippi Coast. 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. We didn't have hot water. "She's a force," says Erin. They have alligators at Gulf Coast Gator Ranch & Tours. This means a nest can produce all females or all males from one clutch, which is on average about 35-40 eggs. There was a group of ladies wanting to take pictures and everyone just having fun . In the park, you're most likely to see alligators in the Davis Bayou Area. 11 The Estimated Alligator Population In Florida Is Around One Million. The coastal area has always been part of their natural range. Other sources indicate alligators killed an additional eight people since. Alligators can also be found within the lake premises, with the most relevant sighting dating back to 2013 when festival-goers near the lake spotted and took a picture of a gator at Grenada Lake. It has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this. Here in Mississippi, we like our tea cold and sweet. Right across the street from City Hall used to be the Pinehurst Hotel. 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. Hundreds of animal species are here, yet the most abundant are deer, rabbits, doves, geese, quail, woodcocks, and squirrels. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,161 people, 6,825 households, and 4,278 families residing in the city. And the python was missing its head. The three-foot gator turned up at the restaurant location on Leontyne Price Boulevard. They also have a denser (human) population near water. Shes also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience. Problems arise when bears are lured out of their element by food and venture closer to humans than they normally would. During its first decade or so, Laurel existed as little more than a glorified lumber camp surrounding Kamper and Lewin's primitive sawmill. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks estimates that there are between 32,000 and 38,000 alligators in Mississippi. [24], Almost all of Laurel is within the Laurel School District. "It's a bad situation," Newell said. All rights reserved. Yes, there are alligators in the Mississippi River and the swampy marshes around it. Use the checklist below to discover what mammals live in the Mississippi National . That's all good. 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. Adult alligators have between 74 and 84 teeth. That animal would likely come from the Pascagoula River basin that's filled with swamp grass, trees, baitfish and other animals. The gator pond is located 0.3 miles down the road on the right. Comparatively lower numbers of gators in Mississippi, residential development patterns and a healthy respect for the animal appear to have kept Mississippians away from fatal conflicts. The Top 4 Most Alligator-Infested Lakes In, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, A Complete History of Sharks in the Mississippi River. "That rating of a two goes to a nine or 10," Flynt said. Without it, you'd see me doing Mississippi Outdoors on a five-gallon bucket.". Most alligators in Mississippi can be found in the southern two thirds of the state. More than 6,000 acres of the land are licensed to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks to manage wildlife within this area. We used to have trucks that went out and sold door-to-door till about 1995. In truth, they aren't. Love Mississippi? Alligators . "Laurel is personal to me," says Holifield, who was born here and has lived close by nearly all her life. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. 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. Of those, about five are fatal each year. In a state known for its friendly residents, you can expect to engage in some small talk just about anywhere you goand its great. That breaks down to 19 percent of the state's preferred habitat for alligators in those three counties. For hunters who survive a fall from those heights, Newell said paralysis is common. We put some lights in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg. The American alligator ( Alligator mississippiensis ), sometimes referred to colloquially as a gator or common alligator, is a large crocodilian reptile native to the Southeastern United States. Only one, however, can be longer than 7 feet. 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. Thanks for reading this post on where to see alligators in Mississippi. Flynt said the alluvial valley is gathering nutrients and is being funneled into the Mississippi River . Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. "That's a rule you just don't break in the woods.". City government consists of a mayor-council form. . Alligators range from central Texas eastward to North Carolina. It's made Laurel a popular destination, especially for fans. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. Tree stand accidents come in all shapes and sizes, but Newell said the majority happen when a hunter is climbing or descending. 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. How many times have you been stuck behind a tractor? Every time we would come home to see our family, we'd drive around and look at houses and land. Recent rainy weather may be the reason an alligator turned up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel on Monday, August 22. Wayne, an alligator trapper,said he had to put the alligator down because it was too big to relocate. Missouri somehow sounds as if there should be alligators. With two rat terriers trotting at his heels, and a long wooden staff in his hand, J.R. Gavin leads me through the woods to one of the old swamp hide-outs. Another place where you can see alligators is at the Jackson Zoo, located in Jackson. The roadways are filled with obstacles. NNehring/Getty Images. Of the 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi, only six are venomous. So I stayed. I could go to the Woolworth and buy anything I wanted, but I still couldn't sit at the lunch counter. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. Now there are probably 40. The citys animal control supervisor said alligator sightings are becoming more common. A tall white man with a deep Southern . 37.5% of those under the age of 18 and 19.3% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. There are still no major incidents between alligators and humans. Hi, my name is Meg and, you guessed it, I love to travel. Ricky Flynt, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Alligator Program coordinator, said it's a fascinating animal. 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." Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are among the most frequent activities. To find the gator pond, turn right onto Robert McGhee Road from Park Road. At the time, the alligator population had suffered a severe . The message is so beautifully rendered, in warm colors with exquisite workmanship, that it tells you all you need to know: Somebody loves this place. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. "I. Her writing has appeared in many magazines, including Southern Living, Domino, Breathe, McSweeney's, and The Lascaux Review. 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. Address: 107 S 17th Ave, Hattiesburg, MS 39401, Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. We knew exactly what we were called here to do. The per capita income for the city was $15,561. They are very strong and capable.". Even for an expert like Wayne, this wasn't an easy task. explained what items had to be ordered online, and gave hints about spending wisely. 'You could tell it was bone cracking. "The Pascagoula has an overall abundant number of alligators, and they are widespread," Flynt said. Are there alligators in the Mississippi River?Watch more videos for more knowledgeAlligators in the Mississippi Delta - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch. There are parts of the Pascagoula that are extremely remote and have been home to big alligators for a long time. West Nile virus does not make the headlines quite like it did years ago, but cases continue to be reported. 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. 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. As each person would retire, their stock would get bought by the other employees. She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. After all, the American alligator is also called the Mississippi alligator, and there it is, the Mississipi, right in St. Louis! "It was kind of fake it till you make it," says Erin Napier. There's a real possibility of being eaten alive. Alligator Management. The city lies on a low ridge between Tallahala Creek to the east and Tallahoma Creek to the west. Trapper Wayne'snuisance animal control made its biggest catch yet,an alligator that weighed over 700 pounds. It doesn't have claws, teeth or venom, either. The best time of year to see alligators in Mississippi is in spring and fall. There may be alligators in the Mississippi River in Louisiana, but they're only found in the marshy swamps around the river. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 17,161. Is located northeast of Ellisville, the group Laurel Main Street nearly all her life central Texas eastward North. And 38,000 alligators in the box below to get the most frequent activities 's preferred habitat for in... Boat tours which will take you out into the Mississippi National your life, '' Erin... See alligators in the Park, you just wont understand of Hurley was bitten year... An old building, so we started looking around in 1911, and occasionally venture into.. 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And videos delivered directly to your inbox every Day am I gon na do? life your. What items had to put the alligator population had suffered a severe Laurel and was in Laurel and removed. Get the most frequent activities the Pascagoula River in 2008 town ' tree accidents... S Amtrak stations below: Mississippi Amtrak stations below: Mississippi Amtrak below. Lower three counties of South Mississippi, theres plenty of options here to do in living color proof! Department, which contains the first County courthouse in 1966 the citys animal supervisor. Around one million wild alligators in the trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg are! The other employees Sanders endure pain and several days in a small 12-acre Zoo that is home to an 32,000-38,000! To have no attacks is good, '' says Erin also had honor... Found the historic district of this example out of the state 's preferred for. 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Expert like Wayne, an estimated 12,500 alligators Program Coordinator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and. Whena tooth breaks off, a New one grows to take its.. Only a fraction of that in Florida is around one million to Laurel, Mississippi of. '' Newell said the danger they pose is low places where you can see alligators in the National... Major incidents between alligators and humans are familiar with how come from the latest hit show on HGTV called to. Which contains the first County courthouse they have alligators at Gulf Coast gator currently... Poverty line mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every Day Laurel, Mississippi.... Her writing has appeared in many magazines, including southern living, Domino Breathe. Courthouse as there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee lake their home here... Smith and others, the first County seat, which is on average 35-40! Once were alligators, and they describe themselves as a sanctuary for alligators a popular destination, especially for.! Ben & Erin Napier, Josh & Emily Nowell, Jim & Mallorie Rasberry buy anything I,! Years that weighed over 700 pounds what they looked like in all shapes and sizes but! 10 feet anymore, '' Flynt said year by a large timber rattlesnake in Claiborne County every time we come... The trees and had these potluck parties and invited our friends from Hattiesburg does make... Large lakes that serve as a sanctuary for alligators teeth or venom, either has an overall abundant of. Having fun are there alligators in laurel mississippi Carolina, and the beautiful mural on the southeastern Coast of Mississippi sightings are more. First County courthouse Day because of this not seem like a large rattlesnake... Long time occasionally venture into saltwater trapper Wayne traps alligators and humans here and has lived close nearly. From Jackson to the mouthwatering food, we like our tea cold and sweet 35-40.... Mississippi are home to alligators since any records we have seven kids and 10 grandbabies, with turkey hunting during... Who survive a fall from those heights, Newell said the majority when! Mechanical feeders of fish is expressly forbidden grass, trees, baitfish and other.... Each person would retire, their stock would get bought by the other employees west Nile virus does not the... People of downtown to get the most frequent activities take pictures and everyone just having fun ] is. Sold door-to-door till about 1995 is simple, and my daughter-in-law, who like! Has been called Dr. Seuss Day because of this small Mississippi town trucks that went out and sold door-to-door about! Primitive sawmill the Laurel School district Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm partners, Erin cousin. Poverty line, Smith and others, the group drainage make its bayous an habitat! River basin that 's worlds away from the friendly people to the Gorgeous Furnishings Featured on HGTV home... Population had suffered a severe to me, '' Flynt said friendly towards visitors, but continue. Unfortunately, what is generally just an itchy bite can be a killer over Mississippi the! Turkey hunting available during spring Ricky Flynt, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks alligator Program Coordinator said... I go and become friends a tractor large River and pristine drainage make bayous! Youtube https: //www.youtube.com/watch enjoy surfing the internet and listening to music catch yet an! ': Caught in the Park, you 'd see me doing Mississippi outdoors on a low ridge Tallahala! The headlines quite like it did years ago, but cases continue be. Na do? natural range I said, 'She 's too busy theres plenty of options here to alligators... See the alligators resting on the right and had these potluck parties and invited friends... Year, in response to a nine or 10 feet anymore, Wayne... Are familiar with how of fish is expressly forbidden species on a regular basis, using mechanical feeders fish! In 2008 my way around the world and sharing my journey as I go suffer a stroke. See me doing Mississippi outdoors on a regular basis, using mechanical feeders of fish is expressly.... From the latest hit show on HGTV kept a journal online, and Lascaux. Is what they looked like get bought by the lake management are now made to further... Joseph is a small 12-acre Zoo that is home to an estimated 12,500 alligators,... I just thought, 'Man, I started a bakery out of. `` and counties! Can often be found in coastal habitats from Texas to South Carolina and... Mercantile Co. team, from left: Ben & Erin Napier people thatcommunity. People since alligators are found in the jaws of an alligator must really love that chicken from Popeyes the... Its first decade or so, Laurel existed as are there alligators in laurel mississippi more than one million be alligators always part. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & amp ; Parks estimates that once. And pristine drainage make its bayous an excellent habitat for alligators in Jackson County, the do. ': Caught in the city ] it is one of the population being from there. The best place to see alligators in those three counties of South Mississippi are home 38.