While there weren’t any topless bars, the crocodile definitely had neither a head nor a tail.
Wildlife officials are scratching their heads over the mysterious appearance of a headless and tailless crocodile that was found floating in a canal in southeastern Florida. The unfortunate reptile was spotted by Gloria Behnen, a resident of Cape Coral, and her friends. They came across it after noticing a “strong and fishy smell” near their pontoon boat in one of the many local canals.
“You see stingrays and dolphins around here quite often,” Behnen commented. “I’m not really a gator expert, and frankly, I’m not comfortable with this.”
Someone mentioned seeing a gator with no head, and to her dismay, Behnen identified the floating creature. “I was upset when I found it near my boat,” she said.
After reporting the incident to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), officials arrived to investigate. They even brought in a specially trained dog to locate the remains, which were quickly found amidst a cloud of flies, mostly reduced to bones.
FWC personnel then moved the body further out into the water to allow for decomposition. In an email, they noted, “It is currently an active investigation.” They also pointed out that harvesting or owning crocodiles outside of the designated alligator hunting season is illegal.
In Florida, the crocodile hunting season runs from August 15 to November 1, and only those who are licensed and over 18 can participate, with additional reporting requirements for any captured creatures. Securing a hunting permit is notoriously challenging, as a state official mentioned that many people apply for a very limited number of licenses.
The headless crocodile’s discovery has raised alarms among locals, who are concerned about illegal hunters in the vicinity. Crocodile heads are seen as valuable trophies, with skulls often being sold online as decorations, while tails are cherished in culinary dishes for their tender meat.
This incident isn’t the first of its kind; a similar case occurred in 2024, where another crocodile was discovered mutilated without its head and limbs, about 20 miles from Cape Coral.
“I honestly don’t get why a headless crocodile is making headlines,” Behnen expressed. “But, I suppose it’s kind of cool in a way.”
