During our 2019, paddling trip through the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, we came across a unique alligator. This big gator was missing the end of its upper snout. I suppose it could have been born with a deformity, but I guess it was injured in a fight with another gator. Its nostrils were missing and a good bit of scar tissue was built up along the edge. Several of the bottom teeth were missing as well.
As it was sunning on a log, we pushed our canoe up for some closer photos. But as we crossed its comfort zone, it retreated into the water. We saw it again later in the day as we were paddling back to our camp at the Stephen C Foster State Park campground.
American Alligator, Alligator mississippiensis
Friday, March 15, 2019 at 12:56 PM EST
Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Coordinates: 30.83796, -082.34352iNaturalist observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/21703998
Okefenokee Photography Project by William Wise 