The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is warning students and faculty about alligators on campus as mating season begins.
Cyprus Lake, located on campus, is home to a number of alligators and other wildlife. As mating season is underway, the university if reminding students, faculty and visitors to be aware of female alligators who may be nesting along the perimeter of the lake.
Eggs, if deposited, are expected to hatch in mid-August through early September.
A few tips from UL Lafayette are as follows.
- Stay at least 10 feet from retention walls.
- Supervise children.
- Avoid bringing pets near Cypress Lake.
- Do not feed or antagonize the alligators.
A message from the university is below:
“Cypress Lake is home to many species of wildlife, including alligators. Co-existing with alligators is part of life at the University. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety wants you to be aware that it is alligator mating season.”
“The courtship process for the alligators began in April. Mating happens in May or June, before females build nests and deposit eggs. The eggs will hatch from mid-August through early September, after 63-68 days of incubation.”
“Female alligators may make their nests in the shallow parts of Cypress Lake near the lower retention walls.”
Cypress Lake is located behind the Student Union on UL Lafayette’s campus. UL Lafayette is the only university in the United States with a managed wetland on its campus.
