Community Corner

A Two-Headed Alligator in Tampa?

A Facebook post of a two-headed alligator is causing quite a stir.

Talk about a head-turner! A photo of an apparent two-headed alligator is causing quite the huge stir on social media.

First reported by WTSP, a Florida resident named Justin Arnold says he saw a two-headed alligator along the banks of the Hillsborough River in Seminole Heights Friday, a photo of which he posted to his page.

“I was walking my dog yesterday and noticed a few people gathered by the Hillsborough River,” the post reads. “When I went closer I was amazed to see a two headed alligator.”

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Some commenters on social media argue that the creature looks as though it might be taxidermied. In the photograph, its legs appear to be in the air and not bearing weight, as if the creature is rigid. Others argue the image is Photoshopped.

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission tells Patch they received a report of a two-headed alligator Monday morning, and sent trappers to the river to investigate the alleged sighting.

Two-headed reptiles are known as polycephaly, and are extremely rare in the wild.

Arnold, according to media reports, hasn't been returning calls. We'll update when we have more information. 

What do you think -- real or a summer social media gag? Let us know in the comments.


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