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Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
These are the 10 deadliest animals in Louisiana. Obviously gators, but what else is on the list?
Louisiana is often recognized for being home to a diverse range of environments, as the state is made up of three geographic regions with their own distinct environments. Within these environments, a myriad of wildlife species with abundant populations can be found. From large mammals like bears, smaller mammals like coyotes and bobcats, to birds of prey like eagles and falcons, Louisiana has it all when it comes to fierce predators. Because of Louisiana's vast population of numerous species, the state is home to a number of animals that can be potentially dangerous, whether it's from a venomous bite, poisonous sting or an attack. In order to determine which species pose significant threats to humans, World Atlas compiled a list of the 10 deadliest animals in Louisiana. While not native to the U.S., the brown widow spider can be found in Louisiana and predominantly reside within large populations and around homes or buildings. These spiders are venomous, however, they are considered less dangerous than black widow spiders, as brown widows are less likely to inject large amounts of venom and typically do not bite unless trapped or provoked, according to Healthline. These spiders can be distinguished by their mottled tan and brown color with darker markings, as well as by an orange or yellow hourglass marking on their underside, Lionfish are a species of venomous fish that are native to the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea, however, they have been spotted off Louisiana's coast within the Gulf of Mexico. These fish have 18 poisonous spines in three fin locations and they are brown or maroon in color with white bands along their body. Lionfish stings are rarely fatal, although they can be extremely painful and cause symptoms such as sweating, respiratory distress and even paralysis, according to Lionfish Divers. Buck moth caterpillars are native to the eastern U.S. and are categorized by their network of branched spines and white speckles across their body. The branched spines on these caterpillars connect to venom glands, and stings from the spines produce a painful sensation, followed by swelling, itching, redness and sometimes nausea. After being stung by buck moth caterpillar, pain can last over 24 hours and allergic reactions can develop, according to LSU AgCenter. Brown recluse spiders are common in North Louisiana and typically reside in dry, secluded places in small, isolated populations, like in basements or attics. These spiders can be distinguished by their tan or brown color, with a darker, violin-shaped marking on the body where their legs attach. Brown recluse bites often heal without medical attention, however, in some cases, the necrotic venom has triggered skin necrosis, as well as other symptoms like headaches, body aches, rashes, fever, nausea or vomiting, according to Poison Control. The apple snail is a species of freshwater mollusk that's invasive in Louisiana and can be found mainly in South Louisiana freshwater lakes, rivers, marshes, ditches, ponds and streams. Apple snails are hosts for rat lungworms, which are parasites that can infect humans through contaminated produce or undercooked snail meat. Additionally, apple snail egg clusters may carry a neurotoxin that can be irritating to the eyes and skin. Eastern copperhead snakes are a species of venomous snake that can be found in Louisiana across a wide range of habitats, including wooded areas, near water sources, rocky hillsides and even suburban areas. Copperheads may bite if they feel provoked, but bites are rarely fatal. However, bites can lead to pain, tissue damage, swelling and bruising. Copperheads are usually two to three feet in length and are medium-sized with thick bodies that have a distinctive coppery-brown or reddish-brown color and hourglass-shaped crossbands. Texas coral snakes are a species of poisonous snake found in Louisiana that primarily live in vegetated areas near water sources, as well as within deserts, forests, woodlands, grasslands, savanna and shrubland habitats. These snakes have short, fixed fangs in the front of their upper jaw and are characterized by red, yellow and black bands along their body. Coral snake bites can be fatal, although fatalities are rare due to the availability of antivenin, according to iNaturalist. The pygmy rattlesnake is the smallest species of rattlesnake in the world, and they can vary in color, although, these snakes are typically a silver or gray color with dark brown or black spots down the back and sides. Pygmy rattlesnakes are often hard to spot and they will strike if they're disturbed. These snakes are venomous and administer painful bites, but bites are generally considered not to be life-threatening. The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the largest venomous snake species in North America, and these snakes are typically a brown or brownish-yellow color with dark brown or black diamonds along its spine that are outlined with cream or yellowish scale, according to Louisiana Sportsman. This species of snake is also one of the most venomous snakes in North America, as its venom is a potent hemotoxin that can cause severe tissue damage, including red blood cell destruction and organ failure if left untreated. American alligators are the largest species of reptile in North America, and Louisiana has one of the largest alligator populations in the U.S. Alligators are equipped with short, thick appendages that are suitable for swimming, and a powerful tail that's capable of breaking its prey's legs. These reptiles are territorial and motile, however, they are known to retreat when they hear or see humans. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: What are the deadliest animals in Louisiana? World Atlas says these 10
Axios
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Turkey and the Wolf's Creole tomato sandwich is a seasonal hit
Creole tomato season is in full force in New Orleans, so now's the time to enjoy these ruby red treasures whenever you spot them on menus. Why it matters: Turkey and the Wolf has a Creole tomato sandwich special right now that's worth getting your hands on before the moment passes you by. Zoom in: Creole tomato season technically runs from about May until the first freeze, according to Country Roads Magazine, but the bounty is at its most celebrated at midsummer. (That might be thanks to the Creole Tomato Festival, which just took place in early June.) The intrigue: There's technically no clear definition of what makes a Creole tomato, according to the LSU AgCenter. Though the university put out a "Creole" tomato variety in 1969, growers in St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes, who typically use the title, don't usually use that seed. "Today, Creole has become a marketing term for any tomato grown in Louisiana," LSU says. Dig in: At Turkey and the Wolf, the tomatoes that end up on its seasonal sandwich are sliced thick and layered on fat slices of Texas toast. The juicy stack is laden with fresh basil leaves and dill, and when you take a bite, sunflower seeds ooze out on waves of Duke's mayonnaise. Heaven.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crawfish farmers recover from drought with solid harvests
ST. MARTIN PARISH, LA (KLFY) — Crawfish farmers all over the state had a harvest they want to forget following the drought. 'It hurt last year you know. We all did.' said Mike Clay, a crawfish farmer. When the drought depleted the crawfish crop, Clay have to give up for the season because there was no point in even trying. Clay has been farming for 40 years. He said an average season for him is about five to 600 pounds per acre per year. Arctic Blizzard Impact On Crawfish Catch in Louisiana Clay said he put out '400 traps and caught 25 pounds of crawfish. That made up my mind last year that we were not going to fish.' While Clay said crawfish farming is not his only job, it is for many farmers, and they rely on the yearly harvest. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now LSU AgCenter predicts good crawfish season Fortunately, with the previous year's rainfall, it allowed the upcoming harvest to increase and prices to drop. Clay noticed this season was back to normal in December for the first harvest. He hopes he and his peers never have to go through a drought again. 'We doing about average this year so I would consider it a success. The price is pretty decent and its holding,' said Clay. St. Martin Parish seeks tax renewal for school upgrades Abbeville man charged with arson to defraud insurance Crawfish farmers recover from drought with solid harvests St. Martin Sheriff talks safety at Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Louisiana State Police honored K9 trooper Pita Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump increasing timber production in U.S. How has logging affected Louisiana ecosystems?
On March 1, President Donald Trump signed an executive order for the immediate expansion of American timber production. Within the executive order, it's said that increased production of timber, lumber, paper, bioenergy and other wood products is critical to the well-being of the U.S. "Our inability to fully exploit our domestic timber supply has impeded the creation of jobs and prosperity, contributed to wildfire disasters, degraded fish and wildlife habitats, increased the cost of construction and energy, and threatened our economic security," reads the executive order. While the executive order expresses the need to increase timber production and logging efforts for the good of the U.S., the lumber industry has contributed to a number of negative consequences within Louisiana's ecosystems. The logging industry in Louisiana has had significant impacts, both economically and environmentally. However, while the forest industry is a top contributor to Louisiana's economy, it has led to substantial tree-cover loss and other environmental consequences. The forest industry has contributed billions to the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and supports numerous jobs. Forestry and logging are also particularly important within rural areas in Louisiana, as the timber industry is a major employer and economic driver, according to LSU AgCenter. However, Louisiana's timber industry has led to deforestation, soil salinity and land loss, habitat loss and fragmentation, impacted water quality, larger populations of invasive species, as well as climate change, according to USDA Climate Hubs. Regarding deforestation due to logging, Louisiana has experienced significant tree-cover loss since 2000, including a substantial decrease in natural forest area. This has led to habitat loss and fragmentation, which impacts biodiversity and wildlife populations. Habitat and biodiversity disturbance from logging can then create opportunities for invasive species to take hold and further disrupt Louisiana's ecosystems. Deforestation also contributes to climate change by reducing carbon sinks and releasing stored carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, according to Global Forest Watch. Additionally, due to the timber industry, Louisiana has been experiencing soil salinity issues moving inland, which affects forests and can potentially lead to the loss of workable land. Logging can also lead to erosion, which can wash away nutrients and negatively impact water quality in streams and rivers, according to Sierra Forest Legacy. Presley Bo Tyler is a reporter for the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for Gannett/USA Today. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@ This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: How is logging and the timber industry affecting Louisiana ecosystems?
Axios
07-04-2025
- Climate
- Axios
New Orleans is one of the country's allergy capitals
New Orleans is the second-worst place to live in the U.S. in terms of seasonal allergies, according to new data. Why it matters: We're currently in the midst of " The Pollening" in south Louisiana. The big picture: The worst cities are concentrated in the South and the East Coast, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says. Wichita, Kansas, came in first for the third consecutive year. Baton Rouge ranked No. 14. See the full list. Between the lines: New Orleans ranked worse than average for pollen counts and over-the-counter medicine use but better than average for availability of health care professionals who specialize in allergies. Threat level: Recent pollen counts in New Orleans have been among the highest in the country as the region approaches the seasonal peak, according to Pollen-related allergies are what many people call " hay fever." Allergy symptoms vary by person, but they can include a runny nose, a stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and nasal congestion. Seasonal allergies often make asthma symptoms worse, too. Zoom out: The New Orleans metro has four main allergy irritants, says Anna Timmerman, an LSU AgCenter assistant horticultural agent for St. Bernard Parish. Tree pollen is the primary offender at the start of the season with live oaks, pine, pecan, tallow, elm and cedar trees, she previously told Axios. Next up is ragweed, grass and mold. Ligustrum is a widely used ornamental shrub and causes allergy problems for some people. Magnolias, jasmine, gardenias and other blooming ornamentals usually don't bother people, she said. Zoom in: New Orleans leapfrogged up the rankings, mainly due to climate change, according to Kenneth Mendez, the president and CEO of the allergy foundation. Last year, New Orleans was ranked No. 34, based on 2023 data. He said New Orleans had a much higher weed pollen season in 2024, possibly due to increased moisture from Hurricane Francine, which made landfall in September. November was also the warmest on record in Louisiana, he said, which would have extended the growing season. State of play: Most major U.S. cities are suffering from longer allergy seasons amid human-caused climate change, according to new analysis from Climate Central. "Climate change makes pollen seasons not only longer, but also more intense due to heat-trapping pollution," per Climate Central's report. "Higher levels of planet-warming CO2 in the air can boost pollen production in plants, particularly in grasses and ragweed." How it works: To rank allergy capitals, the foundation looked at year-round pollen counts, over-the-counter allergy medicine use and availability of board-certified allergists/immunologists in the 100 most populated U.S. metros. Go deeper
