A Texas university student has attracted worldwide attention after posing for her graduation photos with her favourite alligator.
Makenzie Noland got into the water with "Big Tex" the 4.18 metre alligator clad in her graduation regalia after graduating Texas A&M University with a degree in wildlife ecology.
She posted pictures of the encounter on social media on Saturday, happily smiling next to the Big Tex as the alligator watches on.
"Not your typical graduation picture," she captioned the image, which has since received over 6300 shares on Facebook.
Commenters were split about whether getting in the water with Big Tex was a good idea though, with some saying it was funny, while others said it was dangerous.
"She wins at graduation pictures," one person wrote.
"It's all fun and games until someone loses an arm or leg," another said.
Ms Noland had been internet at the Gator Country Park where Big Tex lives as part of her degree and first got into the water with him in May.
She posted on social media to thank those who had shared the post and admitted she was surprised to see it had travelled as far as it did.
"Thank you to everyone who has shared my posts and given me all of this support," she wrote.
"I am overwhelmed with how viral my post has gotten and to see everyone from my hometown pushing me to move forward and supporting me is truly incredible!"
Newshub.
