Mississippi

Watch your step! These 6 Mississippi areas can be copperhead hotspots

Published

4 weeks ago

March 13, 2026

Watch your step! These 6 Mississippi areas can be copperhead hotspots

Spring is coming. That means a higher risk of copperhead sightings as more people head to trails, parks and yards where these venomous snakes hide.

World Atlas has flagged six hotspots across the state where copperheads are most likely to be found.

But they can be almost anywhere in the state. People should be aware when outdoors and especially cautious when clearing debris from winter storms that have downed lots of trees and limbs.

Copperheads are responsible for the most bites in the U.S. (But rattlesnakes cause the most deaths.) The species isn’t aggressive and usually tries to avoid people, but they will bite if threatened or handled.

Mississippi is home to more than 50 snake species, but only a handful are venomous. Being bitten might be scary, but it is rarely deadly, according to Live Science.

Check out the places where you should keep your eyes peeled for snakes. Watch your step!

Where do copperheads live in Mississippi?

According to the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, the Southern Copperhead is one of the most common snakes across the Magnolia State. They’re everywhere except the Gulf Coast and barrier islands.

Keep your eyes peeled in hardwood forests, pine country, old fields, bottomlands and even subdivisions.

The state wildlife department notes they’re often seen crossing roads at night and get surprised when people uncover them in wood piles.

They usually stay still or slither away quickly when people approach.

Most bites happen when a copperhead is stepped on, touched accidentally or when someone tries to kill it.

What do copperhead snakes look like?

They’re usually two to three feet long with a base color that’s light gray or beige, according to the MDWFP.

Juveniles have a bright yellow tail, and sometimes adults have a slight pink or orange tint. Darker, hourglass-shaped bands are sometimes compared to the shape of a Hershey’s Kiss, especially from the side view.

Copperheads are pit vipers, meaning they have a heat-sensing pit between their eyes and their nostrils.

Their eyes have vertical slits, like a cat.

What do copperheads eat?

Copperheads eat small birds, frogs, lizards, rodents and bugs. MDWFP says they especially like cicadas. So they’re more likely to be where food is easy to find.

“They do best where ground cover is thick and moisture is nearby, such as in accumulated leaf litter, downed limbs, brush piles, and shaded edges that support common prey, like frogs, lizards, and rodents.” World Atlas wrote.

What are copperhead hotspots in Mississippi?

World Atlas highlighted several parks and wildlife areas where copperheads could thrive, “especially along creeks, wooded slopes, and mixed hardwood bottoms.”

They advise caution when stepping off regular trails and extra alertness at night, near water, and in brushy areas.

Tishomingo State Park

The park has large rock formations and trails through the woods. Leaf litter provides ground coverage. Areas along the creek are good areas for copperheads to hunt for prey while camouflaged.

Clark Creek Natural Area

“The park itself warns visitors they may see venomous snakes, which makes sense, given the area’s shaded ravines, wet rock, and dense woodland corridors that stay humid even when nearby uplands dry out,” World Atlas wrote. The park’s isolation makes it a great spot for wildlife to flourish.

De Soto National Forest

The De Soto National Forest has a variety of terrains where copperheads can hide and hunt, including sandy areas, swamps and hardwood forests. World Atlas warns hikers to be extra careful ” around sunny sandbars and the leaf line where the lowlands transition to higher ground.”

Holly Springs National Forest

The Holly Springs National Forest is another wide area with different environments where the snakes could be heavy on the ground. The lakes and campsites can be attractive to the rodents and amphibians that the snakes like to eat, and the forested areas provide cover that could make a run-in easier.

Tombigbee National Forest and the Davis Lake area

Pine and hardwood forests are near the lake, so most of the action is likely to be right against the water. Near Davis Lake, World Atlas says to be cautious near “shaded tent pads, downed limbs near the bank, and the leaf line beside roads and trails.”

Homochitto National Forest

Homochitto National Forest has creeks and drainage patterns that can make damp places where copperheads hide in what’s normally a dry area. Be aware near “streamside leaf mats, root tangles, and brushy edges.”

What should you do if you see a copperhead?

Encountering a copperhead doesn’t have to ruin your hike. Most copperheads are shy and will avoid humans, but it’s smart to know what to do.

Keep your distance
Back away slowly
Watch your step
Protect pets and kids
Don’t try to kill it: copperheads are protected in some areas, and most bites happen when people handle snakes.
Seek help if bitten: Even though bites are rarely fatal, get medical attention immediately.

How many venomous snakes live in Mississippi? See photos

The Mississippi Poison Control Center via the University of Mississippi Medical Center lists six venomous snakes and other animals, like spiders, stingrays and jellyfish.

The list of dangerous snakes includes:

Copperheads
Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnakes
Water Moccasins (also called Cottonmouths)
Timber Rattlesnakes
Pygmy Rattlesnakes
Coral Snakes

Snake Snap lists eight snakes with venom. The extras come from listings of more variations of some species: Western Cottonmouth and Northern Cottonmouth, along with the Dusky and Western variations of Pygmy Rattlesnakes.

How rare are snake bites?

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7,000 to 8,000 people get a venomous snake bite in the U.S. each year.

Only about five people a year die, but some bites can cause long-term injuries. Up to 44% of people bitten by rattlesnakes have other health problems, like losing a finger.

How many people in Mississippi die from snake bites?

World Population Review estimates about 236 venomous snake bites per year in Mississippi, or about 11 incidents for every 100,000 people.

Deadly bites are extremely rare. The site hasn’t tracked any in Mississippi since 1970.

One of, if not the only, death in decades came in 2000 when the Brookhaven Daily Leader reported the death of Tommy Tanksley, 80, of Monticello.

According to the article, Tanksley was bitten by a rattlesnake and while driving to a hospital, he was involved in an accident. It was unclear if the bite caused his death or contributed to it.

Contributing: Nina Tran

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.

Jennifer Lindahl is a Breaking and Trending Reporter in Alabama for USA TODAY’s Deep South Connect Team. Connect with her on X @jenn_lindahl and email at jlindahl@usatodayco.com.

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Mississippi

Fire destroys home on Mississippi River batture near Carrollton Bend, damages another

Published

18 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

Fire destroys home on Mississippi River batture near Carrollton Bend, damages another

A house on the Mississippi River batture near Carrollton Bend was destroyed and another was damaged in a fire on Tuesday afternoon, according to Eastbank Consolidated Fire Department Chief Charles Hudson.

Roughly 40 firefighters from New Orleans and Jefferson Parish were called to Monticello Avenue and River Road just after 3 p.m. and had the fire under control within the hour, Hudson said. A house at 1 Monticello collapsed during the blaze and a neighboring home at 2 Monticello suffered scorching to its left side but was ultimately saved, according to Hudson.

Footage from the scene shows firefighters spraying the burning wreckage alongside the river as plumes of smoke rise into the air.

Jefferson Parish officials were investigating the fire’s cause as of Tuesday evening. Hudson said officials were still on scene at around 5:40 p.m. waiting for tractors to help move some of the rubble so that firefighters could fully extinguish the smoldering structure.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Mississippi

‘That’s been my trajectory’: Michael Watson confirms run for Mississippi lieutenant governor – SuperTalk Mississippi

Published

1 day ago

April 7, 2026

Press Room

‘That’s been my trajectory’: Michael Watson confirms run for Mississippi lieutenant governor – SuperTalk Mississippi

The cat is officially out of the bag. Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson is running for lieutenant governor.

Watson, in recent weeks, announced that he would not be seeking a third term in his current office but would appear on the statewide ballot in 2027. The Republican from Pascagoula on Tuesday made it known that he is gunning for the position currently held by term-limited Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann.

His motive for running for a higher office ultimately stemmed from a belief that he fulfilled his primary objectives as secretary of state and that the door had opened for him to pursue a better opportunity to serve Mississippians. Watson said he didn’t decide to eye another elected office lightly, noting that his decision followed prayer and reflection over what his next move should be.

“Anybody my age, that’s young, that’s not thinking maybe of something else, is probably lying to you. But what I will tell you is that when the opportunity presents itself where I feel like I can do more good for Mississippi in any other position, we’ll take a hard look at it and pray about it. If I have a peace about it, then we’ll take a shot,” Watson said on Mornings with Richard Cross, where he first made the announcement.

“That’s been my trajectory. I never wanted to be secretary of state. It was not something I looked forward to doing. It’s just been the opportunity where I felt like I could do the most good at the right time. It’s time and opportunity, and having the peace where the Lord says, ‘Hey, we think this is the right move. Let’s go.’”

Now having publicly announced his next move, Watson will begin an 11-stop tour across Mississippi to vouch for himself as the man for the job to build momentum ahead of next year’s primary elections. Stops include Pascagoula, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Jackson, Meridian, Starkville, Tupelo, Oxford, Olive Branch, Cleveland, and Brookhaven.

If elected lieutenant governor, Watson said he would work to strengthen the partnership between his office and the governor. He said Mississippi has lacked a strong working relationship between those two elected leaders in recent years. Stopping short of outlining a full policy agenda, Watson added that he would work to enact legislation to shrink the size of government.

“I think the lieutenant governor’s office should be a great partner with the governor, and quite frankly, I don’t think that’s happening right now. It’s something that we’re going to work toward,” Watson said, “I’m a small government conservative, so [my top priority] is, how do we shrink the size and scope of state government to give Mississippians more abilities to impact their lives and their family’s lives as opposed to them being made in Jackson? I think that’s the overarching idea. Is it streamlining state government? Absolutely. Is it cutting spending? Absolutely.”

Watson, who has served as secretary of state since 2020, has emphasized election security during his tenure, including support for legislation requiring paper ballots and enforcement of related regulations.

Former Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn eyeing governor’s office

He said his office’s efforts have drawn national attention, noting that the Trump administration recently asked him to help organize a group of secretaries of state to develop election policy proposals for potential executive and congressional action.

Beyond elections, Watson launched the “Tackle the Tape” initiative aimed at reducing regulatory barriers for businesses. His office also started the “Mississippi Businesses Against Trafficking” campaign, which trains business owners and employees to recognize and report signs of human trafficking.

“We’ve heard a lot of talk about election integrity. Mississippi has moved from 26th to 11th in the country when it comes to election integrity policies. That comes from listening to Mississippians and understanding that this is important to us and that we need to get it right,” Watson said. “People are proud of the work we’ve done and will continue to be proud of the work.”

Before being elected statewide, Watson served three terms representing parts of Jackson County in the state Senate, a role that gives him a closer look at what the lieutenant governor’s office does. In Mississippi, the lieutenant governor presides over the Senate, appoints committee chairs, and assigns bills to committees, among other legislative functions.

As the second-in-command, the lieutenant governor serves as the governor when the state’s highest-ranking elected official is either absent or incapacitated.

Looking ahead to 2027, Watson is currently the only candidate in the running for lieutenant governor. As of Dec. 31, 2025, Watson’s campaign had $2.5 million in cash on hand. As for who will replace him as secretary of state, Republican Shuwaski Young has already announced his intention to run for the office. At this time, he is the only candidate who has officially declared a bid for the gig.

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Mississippi

Vote Clarion Ledger Mississippi girls high school athlete of the week March 30-April 4

Published

2 days ago

April 6, 2026

Press Room

Vote Clarion Ledger Mississippi girls high school athlete of the week March 30-April 4

There were several top performers across the state in girls high school sports, but only one can be voted as the Clarion Ledger athlete of the week for March 30-April 4.

Fans may vote in the poll BELOW one time per hour per device. The poll closes at noon on Friday.

To nominate a future athlete of the week, email mchavez@gannett.com or message him on X, formerly Twitter, @MikeSChavez.

To submit high school scores, statistics, records, leaders and other items at any time, email mchavez@gannett.com.

Nominations

Marlie Bishop, Ethel: Bishop recorded three home runs and 10 RBIs during Ethel’s games against Leake County, Noxapater and Houston.

Presley Merkich, Germantown: Merkich recorded two hits, a home run and six RBIs in Germantown’s 17-16 win against Madison Central.

Sydnee Norman, Alcorn Central: Norman pitched seven innings with 14 strikeouts and two RBIs at the plate in Alcorn Central’s 10-4 win against Mantachie.

Asher Pickle, Smithville: Pickle produced a home run and eight RBIs, including pitching nine innings with 12 strikeouts in Smithville’s games against Tremont, Ingomar and Tishomingo County.

Kennedy Trotter, Caledonia: Trotter pitched 14 innings with 17 strikeouts in Caledonia’s two wins against New Hope.

Michael Chavez covers high school sports for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.

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