Alligators and red-eared sliders on the UL Lafayette campus

http://morayeel.louisiana.edu/SeaweedsLab/phycomirth.html
American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are common reptiles that can be seen sunning and swimming in the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) swamp ("Cypress Lake") on the campus of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The epizoic green macroalga Basicladia crassa (Cladophoraceae, Cladophorales) grows exclusively on the turtles' carapaces. Interestingly, the young alligator shown here uses a large turtle as a "pillow" to rest his head. Normally, these red-eared sliders are a common food source for the alligators. Filmed by Suzanne Fredericq on July 5th, 2008.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• University
• Louisiana
• Lafayette
• campus
• swamp
• alligator
• reptiles
• turtle
• red-eared
• slider
• nature
• wildlife
• bald
• cypress
• lake

[sirderek10]

those arnt red eared sliders

[nemastoma2]

They are!

[faelismaegnus]

Of course UL Lafayette is the most beautiful college campus on earth, just needs a little investment in some of the buildings and some extra attention on the landscaping in some areas. South Lousiana is the best place on earth. It can be hot, and hurricanes are a fact of life, but the plusses far outweigh the minusses!

[87even]

That was pretty cool!!!!!!!!!!

i love turtles!!!

[YamahaDan100]

thanks for posring this

[MrMakaveli97]

Dude dis video is crazy it's like they have signals for each other that one turtle had his leg out and the Croc did some head movement and right after he moved his leg

[AshChocolate]

Wow, nice video!! I didn't know Red Eared Sliders thrived that well in the wild, though they're shell is dirty. They are BIG and I had NO IDEA that they got along with alligators so well.

[ywheeler1]

those are definitely red ear sliders

[turtlefreak11900]

@sirderek10 yes they are look at the side of there head see the red that means there red eared slider do your research i have 3 turtles of my own do research befor you start commenting

[Dreguzions]

i agree

[Dreguzions]

I've been there alot when i was younger,i miss lafayette

[DEENAASTY]

LOL amazing, you should submit it to animal planet and get a prize.

[djfreezekid]

at 3:00 the turtle should have farted on the alligator and ran!!!!!!!!!!!! hahaha

[RazorWizkid]

i bet some of those turtles have been there 10yrs^ there fricken huge