That breaks down to 19 percent of the state's preferred habitat for alligators in those three counties. With over 408,000 acres of possible alligator habitat, an estimated 32,000-38,000 alligators have lived in Mississippi. I just thought, 'Man, I need to do something different.' With their business partners, Erin and Ben have renovated 50 homes in and near Laurel. He plans to . Each tag holder is allowed to harvest two alligators that are a minimum of 4 feet. A longtime resident, she served as executive director of Laurel Main Street from 2011 to 2020. Nationwide, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports there are 7,000-8,000 snake bites annually. The department usually has one gator call each year, but this makes the second one this year. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Copyright 2016 WDAM. Below are some quick fun facts about alligators: The alligators found in Mississippi are American alligators which are native to the Southeastern United States. Theres plenty of places to see alligators in their natural habitat all over Mississippi from Jackson to the Mississippi Coast. "It has a huge amount of food resources between fresh and salt water. Harrison and Hancock counties are home to an estimated 13 percent of the Magnolia State's alligator population and Jackson County is home to 25 percent. So I stayed. Five years ago, there were maybe four or five businesses represented in our Laurel Main Street meetings. But around 2008, when they and some friends moved into rough lofts in town, the outlook was bleak. "The current state record length of 16 feet, 6 1/2 inches was taken down there. a 27-year-old who goes by "Boo" and works for a trucking company in Laurel, Miss . Best Places To See Alligators In Mississippi, Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. Everyone here gives credit to everyone else. When it is warm, youll often see the alligators resting on the bank of the pond. Alligators are often seen at the Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in the waters of the lakes. Only three days into the start of Mississippi's alligator hunting season, NBC News reported that Dustin Brockman of Vicksburg and his hunting party nabbed a record-breaking 13-foot, 727-pound gator on Saturday. "I still get a kick out of going out and getting them," Wayne said. Laurel has the second county courthouse as there are two judicial districts in Jones County. "They're an apex predator and in feeding they have to tear their prey apart.". 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 Top 4 Most Alligator-Infested Lakes In, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, A Complete History of Sharks in the Mississippi River. Symptoms of the virus are generally mild. Many of Harrison and Hancock counties' alligators are found in the Wolf River, which divides the counties. "I was the first generation in my family who was not born here. The Pascagoula River is a wonder among many locals and tourists alike. Alligators can't digest their prey after air and water temperatures fall below about 70 degrees. Bockman has stored his prize catch in a deer processor's walk-in cooler. I think everybody was just so excited about downtown.". When I was growing up, I could go by that hotel and look in the window at the coffee shop, but I couldn't walk in. 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. There may be alligators in the Mississippi River in Louisiana, but they're only found in the marshy swamps around the river. 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. Wildlife viewing, hunting, and fishing are among the most frequent activities. This ranch features over 150-acres of swampland perfect for the large population of alligators that call this place home. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. So I was in Laurel visiting and was in a restaurant chatting with the family who runs it. Keep your eyes peeled on the water and you might just spot an alligator. I wasn't a businessperson; I'm just a mom. In July, the female alligator creates a nest from mud, plants and sticks in which she lays her eggs. 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. Jackson County is home to an estimated 12,500 alligators. "That's a rule you just don't break in the woods.". We didn't have hot water. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. Hattiesburg Zoo is a small 12-acre zoo that is home to a variety of animals from all around the world including alligators. I explained my cataracts theory, and this woman behind the counter looked at me and said, 'I'll take you.' and signals that you've found the historic district of this small Mississippi town. "I did some work for the Laurel Retail Merchants Association in the '70s. She's known for creating beautiful lifestyle books that are inviting, real, and accessible. Did you know you can also see alligators in Louisiana? The sex of an alligatoris determined by the temperature of the egg at around 21 days of incubation. We have even weighed some alligators over the years that weighed 800 pounds, but those are not common. We opened in 2017, and now there are very few days you can come in here that we don't have a full house.". We had a dream to move the bakery downtown and redo an old building, so we started looking around. Even for an expert like Wayne, this wasn't an easy task. (AP) The lower three counties of South Mississippi are home to 38 percent of the state's alligators. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Laurel, MS declined from 18,508 to 18,403, a 0.567% decrease and its median household income grew from $31,968 to $34,114, a 6.71% increase. "He does what he wants to do.". The Chinese alligator can lay 10 to 50. No, it's not a crock: Two hunting parties in Mississippi both bagged alligators weighing more than 700 pounds. The Jackson Zoo does have alligators in one of their exhibits. ". 2022 Alligator Hunting Season opens Friday in Mississippi The officer and a game warden with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP) set the animal free outside. "Crocodilians, which includes alligators, have a uniquely designed heart that allows them to store oxygen without beating," Flynt said. With its area spanning ten states, it would be no surprise if locals or tourists reported alligator sightings near or within the river. ", "I was born and raised in Ellisville, about 15 minutes from here. Tallahoma Creek joins Tallahala Creek south of Laurel, and Tallahala Creek continues south to join the Leaf River, part of the Pascagoula River watershed. 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. Snow is a rare sight in Mississippi, but thats okay. This is called temperature-depended sex determination. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.87% of the population. She brought together all the people of downtown to get to know each other and become friends. "It will affect the rest of your life and your family.". Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. The mayor is elected at-large. LAUREL, Miss. As of the 2010 census, Laurel had a population of 18,540. Of the 55 different kinds of snakes in Mississippi, only six are venomous. Laurel Police Chief Tommy Cox said more critters may turn up as rainy weather continues. I get emotional about it. 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. The statistics provided on the US Fish and Wildlife Service website are about the same. There are parts of the Pascagoula that are extremely remote and have been home to big alligators for a long time. Visitors are welcome here everyday and are able to stroll through the lush green woodlands to spot a variety of animals including deer, skunks, raccoons, birds and more. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. To control the alligator population, Mississippi adopted a hunting season seven years ago in which tags are awarded through a computer drawing. I actually said it out loud. The location of that shotgun house I grew up in was 401 South Cooks Avenue. From deer to alligators, theres no telling whats waiting outside your front door. It doesn't have claws, teeth or venom, either. "They just don't like people is what it comes down to. Alligators are cold-blooded reptiles that become dormant and do not feed during the fall and winter in Mississippi. In Mississippi, there is no record of an alligator attack, fatal or not. This year (season ended Sept. 17) we had several 500-pound plus.". The hunting crew also included Charles Thompson, Ricky Googins and Rick Googins. Recent rainy weather may be the reason an alligator turned up at a Popeyes restaurant in Laurel on Monday, August 22. Yes, there are alligators all over Mississippi but the highest populations of alligators are found in the southeast region of the state. On colder days, they usually stay in the water but you may still see their head bobbing in and out of the water every now and again. ':Alligator kills Mississippi woman's dog. "It's a part of their unique design," Flynt said. It is believed that alligators may go through thousands of teeth in their lifetimes. It is estimated that there are just over 30,000 alligators in Mississippi, with most centralized in the southern portion of the state. 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. "I said man, this beats everything I've ever seen," Wayne said. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males. For every 100 females, there were 85.8 males. According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, there are about 55 alligators currently making Okatibbee Lake their home. sankax/Flickr. "They're shutting down their respiratory system. It seems very plausible to imagine an alligator floating elegantly, its silhouette adding a threatening component to the famous view of the Gateway Arch. Here in Mississippi, coming across animals on the road is almost as common as coming across other motorists. U.S. Route 84 passes through the south side of the city, leading east 30 miles (48km) to Waynesboro and west 27 miles (43km) to Collins. 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