Alligator with no tail seen crossing the road in US, and the internet can't look away
A tail-less alligator was seen slowly making its way across Highway 23 in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana on May 20. PHOTOS: SCREENGRAB FROM ASHLYN BARTHOLOMEW/FACEBOOK
Alligator with no tail seen crossing the road in US, and the internet can't look away
An alligator without its long muscular tail was seen crossing a road in Louisiana, a scene many on the internet found both heartbreaking and amusing.
The unfortunate reptile is seen slowly making its way across Highway 23 in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana , in a Facebook video posted on May 20 by Ms Ashlyn Bartholomew.
The video has since been shared over 8,000 times and seen in many news outlets.
'I couldn't tell at first if he was an alligator or a big dog or what,' Ms Bartholomew told local outlet Nola.com. 'This was the first time I ever saw an alligator without a tail.'
She said she first noticed the alligator lying down on one side of the road, 'minding his own business'.
She then snapped a video of the animal as it ambled to the other side of the road , and captioned it with: 'Y'all be careful there's half an alligator walking on the road.'
Mr Robert Mendyk, an expert on reptiles and amphibians at the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park, told Nola.com the alligator probably lost its tail due to a run-in with a boat propeller or, most likely, a rival gator.
He said alligators regularly survive such amputations.
'The wound walls itself off and heals,' he said. 'They have really phenomenal healing and regenerative abilities.'
He also noted that if the alligator was attacked, it was likely by a male alligator with the 'bite force' to chomp off a tail.
Many of those who saw Ms Batholomew's video said they felt sorry for the tailless alligator.
'I hope he lives, poor thing! Just trying to survive in his habitat,' Ms Angel Ancar commented on Ms Bartholomew's Facebook page.
Ms Tara Wilkinson said in the same thread: 'Need to contact LDWF (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries). Poor guy probably can't swim.'
Others could not help making fun of the sight of a tailless alligator.
'I guess the tail said 'see ya later, alligator',' said Ms Jaleesa Perry.
Ms Ria Poirier quipped: 'That's one bad gator ok I'm laughing it looks like half gator n half dog.'
There were also those with mixed feelings.
'This is not normal! This baby needs to be with a rehabber honestly but it looks so weird!' said Ms Paula Charier.
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