Police in North Carolina warn residents of ‘aggressive’ alligators during breeding season

Police in North Carolina are warning locals to stay away from female alligators this time of year.

Officials with the Sunset Beach Police Department posted a public notice on Facebook about suspected alligator nests.

“Almost alligators reach sexual maturity when they reach a length of about 7 feet, although females can reach sexual maturity as early as 6 feet. It may take a female 10 to 15 years and a male 8 to 12 years to reach this length. Courtship begins in early April and mating occurs in May or June,” the post said.

Officials have posted several signs near active nests in the area to warn people to stay away from the area.

“Females build a mound nest of soil, plants or garbage and lay an average of 32 to 46 eggs in late June or early July. The incubation period is about 63 to 68 days, and hatching occurs from mid-August to early September,” the post continues.

Officials say female alligators sitting on their nests may feel threatened if approached and may become “aggressive.”

“If you suspect a nest is being tampered with or a person may be in danger due to proximity to the nest, please call 911,” the post continues.

Police released another alligator sighting, including a photo of a young alligator spotted in a residential area.

A young girl was visiting her grandmother in the area when she reported the reptile sighting.

Alligators are common along the coast of North Carolina, living in bays, lakes, rivers, streams, swamps and ponds, according to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

According to a police Facebook post, it was the first time the girl had seen an alligator up close.

Officials captured the alligator and released it into a nearby lake.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Sunset Beach police for further comment.