In a bizarre yet heartwarming sight, a tailless alligator was spotted making its way across a busy road in Louisiana, capturing the internet's attention and sparking a mix of sympathy and humor.

On May 20, a Louisiana resident named Ashlyn Bartholomew recorded the unusual scene on Highway 23 in Plaquemines Parish. The video quickly went viral, racking up over 8,000 shares and being featured by various news outlets.

"At first, I couldn’t tell if it was an alligator or a large dog! This was definitely my first encounter with a tailless alligator," Ashlyn shared with Nola.com, shedding light on her surprising discovery.

The alligator was initially seen lounging by the roadside, soon starting its slow trek across. Ashlyn humorously captioned her video, warning viewers, "Y’all be careful, there’s half an alligator walking on the road!".

Reptile expert Robert Mendyk from the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park weighed in on the alligator's unfortunate situation. He suggested that the creature likely lost its tail due to an encounter with a boat propeller or, more likely, a tussle with another alligator.

"Alligators have remarkable healing abilities. Their wounds can often heal over time," Mendyk explained, highlighting their resilience in the face of injury.

As the video gained traction, social media lit up with mixed reactions. Many viewers expressed their concern for the alligator's wellbeing. "I hope he survives! Poor thing is just trying to get by in his habitat," commented Angel Ancar.

Tara Wilkinson chimed in, suggesting they contact Louisiana’s wildlife officials, worried that the tailless gator might struggle to swim.

However, humor was also prevalent among commenters. Jaleesa Perry joked, "I guess the tail said, 'See ya later, alligator!'" while Ria Poirier quipped, "That’s one bad gator! Looks like half gator, half dog to me!".

Despite the light-hearted banter, some voiced concern, with Paula Charier stating, "This is not normal! This little guy should be with a rehabber; it just looks so odd!".

The sight of this extraordinary alligator has brought people together, raising awareness about the challenges wildlife face while leaving a lasting impression of both amusement and compassion.