Otters may look cute and friendly, but some recently published photos by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service show looks can be very deceptive.

The photos, taken in 2011, were recently published to the service's Facebook page this week and show an otter taking on a juvenile alligator and winning.

The otter can be seen pulling the young gator up onto a river bank and "chomping" down on it. The otter eventually made a meal of its victim, the photographer reportedly could hear "crunching noises" as the otter enjoyed its unusual meal.

Otters usually feast on fish and crustaceans, but do eat amphibians and reptiles from time to time.

The incredible images were captured by photographer Geoff Walsh in Florida's Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.

Keep Reading

One reader is asking the AJC to help her find cottage cheese made by Mayfield. (Ihar Balaikin/Dreamstime/TNS)

Credit: TNS

Featured

A TSA officer checks the identification of travelers at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Oct. 01, 2025 (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren