Deep in the heart of Florida’s Everglades, a startling wildlife encounter is grabbing attention online and leaving both scientists and social media users full of questions.
Lucas Cottereau, a French wildlife photographer renowned for documenting reptiles around the globe, recently encountered an American alligator unlike any he had ever seen. As he trekked through the wetlands in March 2025, Cottereau spotted a gator swimming peacefully through the murky waters. But something was off—very off.
This alligator was missing its entire upper jaw.
Yes, you read that right. The massive reptile appeared to have no upper snout at all, leaving only its lower jaw and a row of teeth exposed. Despite what appears to be a life-threatening injury, the gator moved calmly on both land and water—without any visible signs of distress.
Cottereau shared the astonishing footage on Instagram, along with a detailed caption: “Observed this American alligator in the Everglades. Upper jaw completely missing—only exposed tissue and part of the snout remains. It’s clearly wild and shows no evidence of captivity. I honestly don’t know how it’s surviving, but it is.”
The post instantly went viral, leaving thousands of viewers both fascinated and heartbroken. One user wrote, “How is this poor creature supposed to eat?” Another chimed in, “Everyone’s asking about food—I want to know what happened to cause this!” A third commenter tried to lighten the mood, joking, “Well, at least he won’t be biting anyone.”
As it turns out, this isn’t the first time an alligator with such a rare injury has made headlines.
A similar case exists in Gatorland, a wildlife park located in Orlando, Florida. The alligator, affectionately named “Jawlean” by staff and fans, also lacks an upper jaw. Unlike the Everglades gator, however, Jawlean was rescued and now lives under expert care. According to the park’s director, the injury may have been the result of a boat propeller, noting the clean, surgical-like nature of the wound.
While alligator injuries are not entirely uncommon in the wild—often the result of fights, human encounters, or natural hazards—complete loss of the upper jaw is virtually unheard of. That’s what makes this Everglades gator such a mystery. Not only has it survived, but it appears to be thriving on its own.
This incredible sighting is a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability—and its resilience. Against all odds, this jawless predator has adapted in the unforgiving terrain of the Florida wetlands, reminding us that survival often defies explanation.