Hazardous Plants and Animals
The reserve has thousands of acres of wildlands that support hundreds of species of plants and animals. Although most of the plants and animals are harmless, there are some that can be harmful if they bite, sting or rub up against you. As long as you are cautious you should have no problem with them. Many of these problems can be avoided if you stay out of the water or on the trails.
Alligators: Many alligators of various sizes live in the reserve. Therefore, we do not recommend that you swim in the reserve's waters. Most alligators will leave the area when humans approach, because we do our best to keep these animals wild and leery of humans. It is important that these alligators do not learn to associate humans with a food source, so, please, DO NOT FEED THE ALLIGATORS! Feeding the alligators make them lose their fear of humans and may make them look at humans as food. Also, remember that female alligators are very good mothers. Do not think that a baby alligator is alone and harmless. Its mother is usually lurking nearby and will respond to the baby's alarm cries when it is disturbed. An alligator's grunt often sounds like a bullfrog, so if you hear that sound, move in the opposite direction. Please contact the office if you observe dangerous human interactions with an alligator.
Poisonous Snakes:
Although there are six different species of poisonous (venomous)
snakes found in Mississippi (http://www.wildlifemiss.org/magazine/sum04/feature.html)
, only one species is commonly found in the reserve--the cottonmouth or
moccasin. This aquatic
snake is most often found in the regularly flooded areas of the reserve (both
fresh and brackish) but has also been seen in the pine savannas and maritime
forests. The cottonmouth, named after its white mouth and throat, will often
hiss at you with its mouth wide open and flick its tail like a rattlesnake to
warn you to stay away. Always practice caution when you are walking through
this snake's favorite habitats. If
you happen upon one of these snakes, immediately leave the area without
bothering the snake. Please do not kill any snake that you encounter unless it
is necessary to save your life. Snakes are an important part of the food web.
If you are bitten by a poisonous snake, call 911, and get to the nearest hospital as soon as possible
(Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula).
Jellyfish: Although there are many jellyfish found in the Gulf of Mexico only about seven are common in the reserve and its adjacent waters: the sea nettle, moon jellyfish, cannonball, Portuguese man-of-war, oceanic jelly, sea wasp, and mushroom jelly. (See http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0928/) Many jellyfish have stinging cells called cnidoblasts that contain stinging structures called nematocysts that are released like microscopic harpoons into the jellyfish's enemies or prey when they rub up against them. People are often stung while they are swimming, wading or when they are bringing up a trawl.
If you are stung:
Leave the area of the water where the jellyfish are immediately.
Rinse the affected area with saltwater (not fresh) in order to wash away any remaining tentacles.
Do not rub the area as rubbing will trigger the remaining stinging cells to discharge. Pour vinegar or isopropyl alcohol (40-70%) over the sore area to deactivate any remaining stinging cells.
Apply a paste of meat tenderizer to help relieve the pain.
Monitor anyone who is stung for allergic reactions, including cardiac or respiratory problems or shock. Seek immediate medical attention if someone is stung over a large portion of their body or is showing signs of an allergic reaction. (http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-0928/)
Stingrays: Stingray
injuries usually occur when people are wading in shallow water. To avoid being
barbed by the poisonous stingray's tail when you are wading, shuffle your feet
to scare the stingray away before you step on it. If you are injured by a stingray it is advisable that you
seek medical attention immediately.
To minimize the pain, submerge the effected area in the hottest water
the victim can tolerate without causing a burn or apply a heating pad. Heat reduces the pain. http://www.emedicine.com/EMERG/topic556.htm
Sharks: There has never been a documented shark
attack in Mississippi. However, Bull, Black-tipped, and other sharks are found
within the waters of the reserve so you should take precautions when you are in
the water to reduce your chances of a brush with one of these estuarine species
of sharks:
Do not go in the water near dusk or dawn
Do not go in the water if you are bleeding
Do not go in the water near someone who is fishing
Do not swim in an area where there are bait fish exhibiting signs of a predator nearby (bait fish will jump out of the water to escape a predator)
Do not wear shiny jewelry when swimming
Call 911 immediately and follow
the dispatchers directions if you are seriously bitten by a shark. Please
report all shark encounters to the Marine Patrol at 228.523.4134.
Louisiana Black Bears:
Bears are only spotted very
rarely in the reserve. If you do spot a bear, do not approach
it or feed it. Never approach a bear cub because the mother is almost always
nearby.
According to Be Bear Aware (http://www.bebearawaresw.org/)
Black bears should always be considered
unpredictable and potentially dangerous. A black bear will usually detect your
presence and flee the area before you notice unless the bear has been
conditioned to people and their foods.
If a black bear is visible, but not close, alter your route so that you will move away from its area.
If a black bear approaches, do not run. Remain calm, continue facing the bear and slowly back away. If the bear continues to approach, try to group together and pick up small children. Try to scare the bear away by shouting and acting aggressively.
If a black bear attacks, it is suggested to fight back using everything in your power fists, sticks, rocks, and E.P.A. registered bear pepper spray.
Biting Bugs: Our
reserve is home to many kinds of biting bugs: Mosquitoes, deer flies, ticks, green-headed flies, black
flies, gnats (no-see-ums), etc. We
highly suggest that you apply a bug repellent of some kind before entering into
any of the terrestrial habitats of the reserve and bring a supply of it with
you in order to reapply as needed.
You can also wear a bug suit to help you tolerate the large numbers of
bugs. Be sure to check yourself
over for ticks when you get home from visiting the reserve.
Toxic Plants: Many
plants in the reserve can be toxic if ingested, but we are only going to
address the plants that are poisonous if you brush up against them. In order
not to get sick, we strongly advise you not to eat any wild plant or plant part.
Poison Ivy or Poison Oak:
Leaflets three-Leave it be! These
plants have compound leaves with three leaflets (See page 30 of the plant
guide). Make sure that you wash up
with soap and water after you encounter this plant to minimize your chance of
having a rash develop as a result of contact with this plant. If you encounter
a mild rash you can treat it with a mild over-the-counter product. A severe rash warrants a visit to the
doctor's office.