From Confusion to Viral Fame
On May 19, Ashlyn Bartholomew had just dropped off her sons at baseball practice when something caught her eye on the road. At first, she wasn’t even sure what she was seeing.
“I couldn’t tell if it was an alligator, a big dog, or what,” Bartholomew told Nola.com.
“It was the first time I ever saw an alligator without a tail.”
As the creature slowly waddled across the road — its gait awkward and uneven without the weight and balance of a tail — Bartholomew instinctively pulled out her phone and began recording.
“Half an Alligator” — Facebook Reacts
Later that day, she posted a photo and short video to Facebook with a warning for fellow locals:
“Y’all be careful. There’s half an alligator walking on the road.”
The post quickly went viral, racking up thousands of reactions and shares by May 28. People across the U.S. were both fascinated and heartbroken by the unusual reptile, who appeared to be navigating life remarkably well despite its missing limb.
What Happened to the Tail?
So what causes an alligator to lose its tail — a body part so crucial for movement, defense, and swimming?
Robert Mendyk, a reptile expert from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, offered some insights. He says there are two likely explanations:
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A boat propeller injury, which can occur in Louisiana’s many bayous and swamps.
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A fight with another alligator, which is Mendyk’s leading theory.
“If it was bitten off, it was probably another male gator with a serious bite force,” Mendyk explained.
Alligators Are Tough Survivors
Despite the shocking appearance, Mendyk emphasized that alligators are incredibly resilient creatures.
“The wound likely healed naturally,” he said. “Alligators have phenomenal healing and regenerative abilities. The body walls off the wound, and it closes over time.”
While a missing tail may reduce the gator’s agility and balance — especially in water — it doesn’t necessarily threaten its life. Mendyk also noted that amputated alligators are not unheard of, particularly in the wild where territorial fights are common.
Final Thoughts
While no one knows exactly how this tailless gator lost its tail, one thing is clear: it’s a survivor. And thanks to one Louisiana mom’s quick thinking and curiosity, the world now has a rare glimpse into the resilience of nature.
From Facebook fame to expert fascination, this “half-gator” has become an unexpected symbol of strength — waddling through life with or without a tail.
