When driving on the road and spotting small animals, most drivers would naturally slow down and stop, right? That's exactly what happened to Ashlyn Bartholomew, a driver in Louisiana, USA, who had an unexpected encounter on the highway.
A Surprising Sight on the Highway
While driving on the highway in Plaquemines Parish, Ashlyn suddenly noticed what appeared to be a dog walking ahead. She slammed on the brakes to get a closer look, only to realize that the animal was not a dog at all!
According to a report by the New York Post, Ashlyn saw a staggering creature walking in the middle of the road just after picking up her children from baseball practice. At first, she thought it was a large dog, but upon closer inspection, she was shocked to discover it was actually a half-tailless alligator!
The Tailless Alligator's Story
The entire car was stunned and speechless. Ashlyn quickly grabbed her phone to record the moment, saying:
This is the first time I've seen an alligator without a tail.
She described the small alligator's tail as completely missing, though the wound on its rear had already healed. The tailless alligator slowly moved from the sidewalk into the middle of the road, lay down briefly, then wobbled its way into a nearby canal.
How Did the Alligator Lose Its Tail?
Robert Mendyk, a reptile expert from Audubon Zoo, offered an explanation. He has previously seen adult alligators missing up to 75% of their tails. Since alligators often fight over territory, it's very likely that the tail was bitten off by a larger alligator with enough bite force to sever it.
Another possibility is that the tail was cut off by a boat propeller. Mendyk added that alligators have remarkable resilience and adaptability:
The wound will heal on its own. They truly have incredible healing and regenerative abilities.
Although lacking a tail can impair swimming and force the alligator to change its hunting habits, those that survive show enough toughness to find ways to live on.
What Did You Think It Was at First Glance?
Looking at the first photo, what animal did you think it was?
