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Two-headed alligator spotted in Florida?

Tampa artist Justin Alan Arnold claims he spotted the creature in Seminole Heights.

By Evan Bleier
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TAMPA, Fla., July 1 (UPI) -- A Florida artist claims he spotted a two-headed alligator when he was out walking his dog in Tampa but Florida wildlife officials are skeptical.

Justin Alan Arnold uploaded the image on Facebook and it has been shared across the Internet many times, but folks from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission question its authenticity.

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"We have serious questions about the validity of the situation," FWC spokesman Gary Morse told WFLA, referring to the photo. "By looking at a photograph, you can't really tell much," he added.

Here's how Arnold captioned the photo:

"Two-headed alligator spotted in Tampa, Florida along the Hillsborough River in the Seminole Heights neighborhood. According to Florida Fish and Wildlife, this alligator has been reported by several people. They explained that failed separation of monozygotic twins is common in reptiles and amphibians but they rarely reach this juvenile state."

Officials from the FWC told WTSP that they haven't had any calls about a two-headed alligator, despite Arnold's claims.

They aren't the only ones who have their doubts.

"Conventional knowledge is that when these deformities occur, the hatchlings do not survive unless cared for [by humans] and often, not even then," said University of Florida professor Dr. Frank Mazzotti.

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