Man captures rare photo of raccoon 'riding an alligator'

A man walking in a national forest in central Florida has clicked the "photo of a lifetime" when he captured a rare image of a raccoon appearing to ride on the back of an alligator.

Richard Jones said he and his family were walking along the Oaklawaha River watching alligators when his son walked through some palm fronds to get a good picture.

Jones said his son must have startled the raccoon, which stumbled toward the water and hopped on top of the alligator that was nearby.

Jones was able to quickly take the unique photo before the raccoon scurried back on land.
"I snapped a lucky picture right when the gator slipped into the water and before the raccoon jumped off and scurried away. Without the context you'd think the raccoon was hitching a ride across the river. Pretty amazing," Jones said told local television station WFTV.

"Definitely the photo of a lifetime," he added.
The image has become an Internet sensation since it was posted online.