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The Sunset Reflected in an Alligator's Eyes (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by TheMotherConspiracy

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[–]spacemanIV 257 points258 points ago

false, this is a demon

[–]yamehameha 52 points53 points ago

False its a crocodile.

[–]BOS_to_HNL 37 points38 points ago

False, black bear.

[–]jbg89 11 points12 points ago

False, African-American bear.

[–]ViddySense 34 points35 points ago

False, this is a black crocodile demon bear.

[–]IvanZhukov 106 points107 points ago

Nope, Chuck Testa.

[–]ADD_is_a_walrus 4 points5 points ago

I don't think reddit will ever move on from this saying, and I am perfectly ok with that.

load more comments (2 replies)

    [–]wojx 13 points14 points ago

    (Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica)

    [–]AgamemnonV1 1 point2 points ago

    False, Goa'uld that has taken the crocodile as its host.

    [–]Mctock31 0 points1 point ago

    Thats debatable

    load more comments (1 reply)

      [–]Sornos 14 points15 points ago

      It does appear to be an alligator and not a crocodile. It has a rounded snout and there are no teeth from the lower jaw visible.

      [–]UpvotesOnlyGuy 1 point2 points ago

      It's the rare pale crocodile... you can use it's hide to craft a larger ammo pouch or rucksack or something.

      load more comments (1 reply)

        [–]RogueVert 4 points5 points ago

        definitely.

        if we were in a pre-literate/science time what the hell else would we call it? hell, just looking at it, my blood screams daemon, or at the minimum get the fuck outta here.

        all our monster tales and myth have some understandable origin.

        dragons - dinosaurs
        centaurs - dudes on some animal you've never friggin seen
        cyclops - pygmy elephant skulls (mediterranean region)
        kraken - kraken! (giant squid)
        behemoth - whales

        [–]spacemanIV 0 points1 point ago

        do you think leviathan=whale

        or

        leviathan=giant squid

        [–]Almost_Ascended 4 points5 points ago

        Helligator.

        [–]trolls_you 1 point2 points ago

        False, that's a crocodile.

        Source: I am from Australia.

        [–]strallweat -1 points0 points ago

        I guess when it was called Water Demon, it wasn't that great of a title.

        [–]Nighthawk629 1 point2 points ago

        False, Bowser.

        [–]Capt_Ido_Nos 134 points135 points ago

        ASSUMING DIRECT CONTROL.

        [–]doug89 15 points16 points ago

        Reference for those who haven't played Mass Effect 2.

        [–]Ysasmendi 5 points6 points ago

        You're the hero Reddit needs

        [–]TriforceLight621 3 points4 points ago

        But not the one Reddit deserves.

        [–]Je_Suis_La_Couch 12 points13 points ago

        The hero Reddit actually deserves

        [–]TriforceLight621 -2 points-1 points ago

        Oh dear God, The Tic.

        reminesces

        [–]oasis22 9 points10 points ago

        http://imgur.com/f2URK

        [–]mvduin 101 points102 points ago

        That's light shined in a gator's eyes, probably from a camera flash. Anyone who's been out on a river in Florida at night has seen it. We used to use our flashlights to look for gators when I was a kid. Sometimes, in a particularly densely populated (by gators) area, you'd see bunches of them looking back at you. Creepy, but also pretty neat.

        [–]fundaddy 35 points36 points ago

        This guy has taken some some fantastic photos of alligators at night. The one on the bottom right is a great example.

        http://www.haroldsframes.com/gators.php

        [–]mvduin 1 point2 points ago

        I've seen scenes like the bottom right there so many times. So beautiful, and so typical of Florida wilderness too (I feel like I've been there, but probably haven't).

        Also: I see this guy is in Gainesville. GO NOLES!

        [–]beanmosheen 8 points9 points ago

        You know you can find spiders like that at night. Hold the flashlight at eye level. Anything green and jittery is a spider. All 4 million of them.

        [–]mvduin 5 points6 points ago

        Wow really? I've spent plenty of time outside with flashlights but never noticed this.

        I think I'd run.

        [–]xpinchx 1 point2 points ago

        The flashlight has to be at (your) eye level for it to reflect off their retinas right.

        [–]that-smarts 1 point2 points ago

        It only works with some species - eg wolf spiders. (Warning - spider!)

        [–]Agent_Pendergast 9 points10 points ago

        My buddy and I used to take his boat out and use a really big spot light. There was this one cove where we'd go and there would be literally hundreds of gators, and all you would see is a bunch of sets of red eyes glaring in the light.

        [–]redgroupclan 10 points11 points ago

        And then you pushed your buddy off and got a free boat?

        [–]capitain_argot 1 point2 points ago

        Have any photos of said cove?

        [–]Agent_Pendergast 1 point2 points ago

        No, we were more concerned with beer than pictures. I really wish we would have taken some though.

        [–]abom420 4 points5 points ago

        So that's what Floridian youths do in their spare time?

        Florida; America's Australia.

        [–]Owlettt 0 points1 point ago

        Redneck pro-tip: when you go frogging for delicious frog legs, the trick is to go for the eyes that reflect a green light. Orange-red eyes are snakes and gators. They aren't as easy to catch because of all the venom and bone crushing mandibles involved, although they too taste kind of like chicken.

        [–]magicman419 -1 points0 points ago

        I don't know man, if you zoom in really close it looks a lot like a sunset

        [–]mvduin 2 points3 points ago

        OP quotes the artist in this post confirming that it's camera flash.

        [–]gotomstergo -1 points0 points ago

        Why isn't the sunset reflected on the water?

        [–]mvduin 0 points1 point ago

        According to the artist (quoted elsewhere) this was taken after sunset.

        [–]shescrafty6679 0 points1 point ago

        first thing I thought too when I saw this. memories of trips to the Everglades and seeing 100 red eyes staring back at you with a flick of a flashlight. definitely not a sunset being reflected!

        load more comments (1 reply)

          [–]Prince_alibaba 19 points20 points ago

          Behind a computer screen, this is fucking beautiful. In real life, I'd shit myself if I saw this.

          [–]Demoknight111 22 points23 points ago

          The title sounds like the lyrics to a new Gorillaz song.

          [–]T_O_G_G_Z 26 points27 points ago

          I just noticed that alligators have eyes that look out to left and right sides rather than towards the front like most other predators.

          Is it that alligators are so high in the food chain that stereoscopic vision for hunting is of no value to them and they can rely on wide angle of vision for spotting potential prey and just exploit that?

          I hope that all makes sense and some smart redditor can explain.

          [–]recycledpun 24 points25 points ago

          Not a biologist, but don't most aquatic animals, be them predators or prey, have eyes on either side of their head? There might be an advantage in the water. Don't know though

          [–]blue_27 3 points4 points ago

          Like a shark? More specifically, a hammerhead shark?

          [–]arbivark 0 points1 point ago

          except the flounder.

          [–]muppethead 12 points13 points ago

          Predators that chase need binocular vision for depth perception. Alligators and Crocs hunt by ambush, not pursuit, so side-facing eyes are just fine. Probably better, in fact.

          [–]BrainSlurper 4 points5 points ago

          If they had to turn their head constantly to see potential prey, nothing would fall for it.

          [–]Wakewalking 2 points3 points ago

          I think it's because they don't chase down their prey, they lie in wait. If they chased down an animal they'd need to look forward, but their sidewaysish vision means they can see all around them.

          Or at least, that's what I'd speculate. Mind my lack of proper terminology.

          [–]nateguy 2 points3 points ago

          How about posting that question in /r/explainlikeimfive?

          [–]T_O_G_G_Z 3 points4 points ago

          Done. Thanks.

          load more comments (6 replies)

            [–]wongie 16 points17 points ago

            This photograph was taken by Larry Lynch for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition at the Natural History Museum in London. It won it's category of 'Animal Portraits' with the the criteria being 'a portrait should focus in on the subject and capture the personality or spirit of an animal in an imaginative and intimate way.'

            Here's a crappy photo of the page in the competition portfolio book with commentary from the photographer and camera setup.

            [–]that-smarts 0 points1 point ago

            From the text: "The greater the distance between its eyes, the longer the reptile".

            Or the nearer it is. Neither of which is good news...

            [–]Underbubble 10 points11 points ago

            Alligator meets Sith Lord.

            [–]credit_goes_to 10 points11 points ago

            Larry M. Lynch

            [–]Inaban 1 point2 points ago

            TIL why the University of Florida's school colors are orange and blue.

            [–]CalamityJane1852 2 points3 points ago

            The photographer has some other amazing alligator pictures on his website.

            [–]Droxin 1 point2 points ago

            I'm afraid that it is not the sunset...R.I.P

            [–]gatorword 7 points8 points ago

            GO GATORS

            [–]jwcgator 5 points6 points ago

            Go start a Fortune 500 company

            [–]wrongCliche 2 points3 points ago

            Is it just me, or does it sound like that commercial is a euphemism for "Go F*** Yourself?"

            [–]GatorWills 1 point2 points ago

            Go cure cancer

            load more comments (2 replies)

              [–]lights25 0 points1 point ago

              wow.

              [–]Miller-STGT 2 points3 points ago

              Amazing shot...Reddit-Pulitzer

              thx for the new wallpaper

              [–]lettuce_eater 5 points6 points ago

              Pulled from nat-geo

              [–]rozyhammer 1 point2 points ago

              Too sick!

              [–]gulpeg 1 point2 points ago

              I didn't know alligators had headlights

              [–]Program_These 1 point2 points ago

              Is it the sunset or just a reflection of the camera flash?

              [–]AsmoDeus_G 0 points1 point ago

              look at the water.

              [–]Program_These 0 points1 point ago

              it looks like head lights that are really low and the ripples in the water are distorting the light. I don't think the water would reflect the eyes like that?

              [–]AsmoDeus_G 1 point2 points ago

              Possible. I'll head out to my local swamp an report back.

              [–]kuroyaki -1 points0 points ago

              The eyes are retroreflective, they reverse the light path. So it bounced off the same surface twice, from flash to water to eye to water to lens (right next to the flash.)

              [–]StayGold1850 1 point2 points ago

              "When you stare into the abyss, the abyss stares back into you" - Nietzsche

              [–]LukeCoop 1 point2 points ago

              "The biggest fears: alligators, crocodiles, and brain aneurysms."

              [–]hbdgas 0 points1 point ago

              "An aneurysm can happen anywhere at any time. That's why it's so terrifying."

              [–]darlantan 0 points1 point ago

              That's such a lie. Aneurysms are hardly the kind of thing that just up and happen to otherwise healthy peopppppppppppppppppppppp[jbnn;

              [–]KingOfAwesometonia 0 points1 point ago

              Oh the Cave of Wonders. Neat.

              [–]enterharry 2 points3 points ago

              Go Gators!

              [–]PeteJ1s 4 points5 points ago

              Soon...

              [–]beatvox -1 points0 points ago

              fucking sick man!

              [–]Peconz 0 points1 point ago

              No fucking way, that is too awesome!

              [–]3Wong3 0 points1 point ago

              Sure... Sunset.

              [–][deleted] ago

              [deleted]

              [–]DaC_Jud 2 points3 points ago

              Reflectception.

              [–]kuroyaki 0 points1 point ago

              Of a reflection, actually.

              [–]xfile345 0 points1 point ago

              The sunset reflected off the water reflected off an alligator's eyes. =O

              [–]sirsurfington 1 point2 points ago

              Very cool looking alligator, nature is the jam.

              [–]thetrumpetguy88 1 point2 points ago

              Mother of God.

              [–]Zacharde 0 points1 point ago

              This is pretty much what I imagine my last moments on earth will look like!

              Great photo.

              [–]AsmoDeus_G -1 points0 points ago

              That's not reflection, that's possession.

              [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

              Ohhhh, I love Myakka River! Those gators rock.

              [–]BOS_to_HNL 0 points1 point ago

              Goddamn Capitol muttations. Crocodiles with frickin' laser beams out of their frickin' eyes.

              [–]kellybob 0 points1 point ago

              I know this isn't the most useful comment, but I had to say something because it is too awesome. The awesomeness is messing with my brain. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

              [–]taxidriver1138 1 point2 points ago

              hail satan!

              [–]talkingzero -1 points0 points ago

              the sunset reflected in Photoshop's eyes

              [–]brianisdead 0 points1 point ago

              Nope, laser vision.

              [–]uberhuberman 0 points1 point ago

              Dude, run.

              [–]Phoequinox 0 points1 point ago

              Dodongo dislikes smoke.

              [–]BassCreat0r 0 points1 point ago

              "I'll be back."

              [–]well_thats_obvious -1 points0 points ago

              DAMN, NATURE! YOU SCARY...

              [–]djdontcare 0 points1 point ago

              Of course, this had to be a large image practically taking up the whole screen which is inches from my face

              [–]darahen2004 -1 points0 points ago

              upvote for username

              [–]paddy984 -1 points0 points ago

              And now you run

              [–]hoohking 1 point2 points ago

              Sounds like the name of a King Crimson album.

              [–]freshman30 0 points1 point ago

              So. AWESOME!

              [–]damagicman 0 points1 point ago

              Checkmate atheists.

              [–]Papaganoosh 0 points1 point ago

              ROBOGATOR ENGAGE

              [–]Very_subtle 0 points1 point ago

              First world problem, this bad ass picture is too big and badass to fit on my not so badass iPhone 4S screen. Is there a way reddit, for me, a clearly very un-knowledgable person, to once and for give the screen what it needs most. Some badass shit. But seriously is there a way?

              EDIT: got it

              [–]TheBeefyMungPie -1 points0 points ago

              And that's probably the last sunset that you're bound to see.

              RIP OP

              [–]ra7poison 0 points1 point ago

              This is a boss in some airplane game...now aim for his eyes

              [–]deedlezx 0 points1 point ago

              this is incredibly creepy, also its a great picture.

              [–]reddells 0 points1 point ago

              The last sunset you'll ever see.

              [–]scaly_croc 0 points1 point ago

              Thank you for the new background of me.

              [–]mr3film 0 points1 point ago

              How I feel when I have a hangover...

              [–]zanii 0 points1 point ago

              "Eye of the 'gator."

              [–]BrokeDiamond -1 points0 points ago

              Skynet's gotten better at making Terminators...

              [–]arachnyd52 0 points1 point ago

              "Welcome to the Everglades, motherfucker"

              [–]coolsleeves 0 points1 point ago

              If i had a nickel for every pixel in this picture i would be a billionaire

              [–]Kindinfantryman 0 points1 point ago

              DEMON-GATOR

              [–]phenomix 0 points1 point ago

              Stunning

              [–]Chinese_Democracy 0 points1 point ago

              Great shot, I love how the reflection in the water.

              [–]ghunter21 0 points1 point ago

              Interesting fact: that's called tapetum lucidum. Not likely the sunset since the eyes are angled in different directions.

              [–]Pete_and_Carl 0 points1 point ago

              Such low noise for such a low light shot. Beautiful!

              [–]bydrew333 1 point2 points ago

              Renekton?

              [–]Blodwyn35 0 points1 point ago

              Its perdy..yes sir...but it aint no crok !

              [–]spacemanspiiiff 0 points1 point ago

              That's no sunset, that's the shark that bit off my damn hand!

              [–]realrecognizereal 0 points1 point ago

              Reflectception

              [–]lukeman3000 0 points1 point ago

              Yeah, keep those eyes open!

              [–]Jabrauni 1 point2 points ago

              So you're telling me that his eyes are reflecting so much of the light that that light is then visibly reflecting off the water at the camera? That just seems so implausible to me that I assumed photoshop. But then some dude posted a link to the shot in a book... I don't know, man. Wouldn't the light be diffused after reflecting off the gator's eyes?

              [–]kuroyaki 0 points1 point ago

              You only see the light from the animal's eyes when the light source is close to your own. The eyes are like stop signs, the camera flash the headlights.

              [–]emmycait 0 points1 point ago

              It's also due to the reflective deposits of guanine in the back of their eyes. It causes a more intense eyeshine and is the reason for the red-orange color.

              [–]fullfilms -1 points0 points ago

              Isn't this a crocodile?

              [–]v3v3v3 0 points1 point ago

              If that was the sunset it would be reflecting off the water too. No reason the water would reflect the gator's eyes reflecting the sunset, but not the sunset itself.

              [–]tigersarepeopletoo 0 points1 point ago

              Interior crocodile alligator, i drive a chevrolet movie theatre.

              [–]moneypocket 0 points1 point ago

              How doth the little crocodile improve his shining tail? By pouring the rivers of the Nile onto every golden scale.

              How cheerfully he seems to grin, how neatly he spreads his claws; and welcomes little fishes in with gently. Smiling. Jaws..

              [–]ImproperJon -1 points0 points ago

              Dayum electromagnetism, you crazy.

              [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

              Stare of the Gator

              [–]Ariqun 0 points1 point ago

              I think they look alike...

              http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/7504

              [–]xashyy 0 points1 point ago

              In addition to Samuel L, this too, is a bad motherfucker.

              [–]Coldmonkey13 0 points1 point ago

              My reaction when I read "sunset reflected"

              [–]echoes_1992 -1 points0 points ago

              Fun fact: that alligator's brain is about the size of the tip of your thumb.

              [–]ReighIB -1 points0 points ago

              NUCLEAR LAUNCH DETECTED

              [–]chrisman01 0 points1 point ago

              Within the beauty, death.

              Within the death, beauty.

              [–]Gizoogle 0 points1 point ago

              Anyone else have an overwhelming urge to squeeze his cheeks? Can you imagine the texture?!

              [–]kuroyaki 0 points1 point ago

              I love this. The retroreflective tapetum lucidum is sending light from the reflected camera flash back at the water, where it takes almost the same path back to the lens.

              [–]SomeRegularGuy 0 points1 point ago

              Hope you weren't skinny dipping.

              [–]ShotgunPanda 0 points1 point ago

              Crikey! Look at the eyes on that beauty!

              [–]beez-in-da-trap 0 points1 point ago

              Clearly a Daedroth

              [–]thumo 0 points1 point ago

              He's just a jolly ol' alligator enjoying the balmy Bayou night.

              It makes me want to go out on the porch with a cocktail and some Cajun food.

              But it's December. In Utah.

              [–]hazywood 0 points1 point ago

              And that was the last picture he ever took.

              [–]blippetyblop 0 points1 point ago

              Thanks a lot. This is now my desktop wallpaper.

              [–]Royed 0 points1 point ago

              Mesmer-eyes-ing

              [–]Sixshooter08 0 points1 point ago

              Gorgeous!!!!!!

              [–]dollabling 0 points1 point ago

              is it weird that I'm hard?

              [–]Derpy_Snout 1 point2 points ago

              HE CRIES TEARS OF FIRE

              [–]Hamilton5M 0 points1 point ago

              "That's a nice torso you've got there.... Be a shame if you drowned and were stashed under a log until you got soft..."

              [–]flame2975 0 points1 point ago

              Sweet Shiz man!

              [–]Maezren 0 points1 point ago

              I'd say his ocular implant is identifying a target.

              [–]dangoodspeed 0 points1 point ago

              OP can't tell the difference between a sunset reflection and a gateway to hell!

              [–]bigblue42 0 points1 point ago

              Yea sunset

              [–]freepoorking 0 points1 point ago

              A simple switch from "an" to "my" could have made this post even more interesting.

              [–]bowties_are_cool_ 0 points1 point ago

              ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!

              [–]upvote-for 0 points1 point ago

              upvote for sunset reflected in an alligator's eyes

              [–]Rcherki 0 points1 point ago

              That last one xD

              [–]come_on_seth 0 points1 point ago

              What an awesome shot. Reminds me of a time I was fishing in Florida in a canal. Heard a male alligator growl so close the hairs on my body stood up. Leaped from the waters edge, leaving everything behind...Probably safe since gators don't growl when stalking but kid at the time didn't know that....

              [–]benastan -1 points0 points ago

              kill. it. with. fire.

              [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

              Fear me for I am crocatan lord of the crocodile underworld.

              [–]froot_ 0 points1 point ago

              You...have…beautiful eyes…

              [–]PietOlsen 0 points1 point ago

              Stuff nightmares are made of.

              [–]gatorfan93 0 points1 point ago

              GO GATORS!

              [–]Zombiz 1 point2 points ago

              that awkward moment when there are 2 suns..

              [–]blueOwl 0 points1 point ago

              not the sunset, but its tapetum lucidum reflecting low light after sunset.

              This photo is part of the Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition. At least give the soure/original photographer in the comments...!

              and it's an alligator.

              [–]Nor1 0 points1 point ago

              so this is who committed the "accident"

              [–]lubyou2 0 points1 point ago

              Woah man.....

              [–]terrydeaner 0 points1 point ago

              YEA BUT HE UGLY DOE

              [–]boyyoufine 0 points1 point ago

              Or, y'know, that could be the devil shining through.

              [–]obogdanov84 0 points1 point ago

              Amazing that is some real magic

              [–]Faukez 0 points1 point ago

              You gon die honkey!

              [–]Shoryuken666 0 points1 point ago

              All that was left was a camera with this picture in it and a dead man with two holes burned through his chest.

              [–]finallyinteresting12 0 points1 point ago

              Alligator eyes glow red when a light is shined on them. This is not a reflection from a setting sun.

              [–]RaqfoR 0 points1 point ago

              I am always fascinated by this creatures

              [–]nthgthdgdcrtdtrk 0 points1 point ago

              REPLICANT ALLIGATOR

              [–]br0kentree -1 points0 points ago

              It's a crocodile

              [–]MegansDead 1 point2 points ago

              this is a crocodile. but still amazing.

              [–]emmycait 1 point2 points ago

              It's an alligator, the snout is rounded and there are no visible bottom teeth. I agree though, still amazing.

              [–]SirSun 0 points1 point ago

              Australian Saltwater Crocodiles often have those characteristics. I dunno though.

              [–]emmycait 1 point2 points ago

              The snout in the OP is much more rounded, almost shovel-shaped. Saltwater crocs tend to appear that way compared to other true crocodiles because they're much wider in general, but an alligator has a much flatter nose. I had to learn how to reliably distinguish the two in my herpetology course, but you're right there are always some cases where the tooth isn't visible or the snout does seem unusually broad for a croc. However, after checking the comments again, someone posted the source and it's stated the photo was taken in Myakka River State Park in Sarasota so it's most definitely an alligator.

              [–]SirSun 1 point2 points ago

              Fair enough, you taught me something. :)

              [–]MegansDead 0 points1 point ago

              It's snout is under the water, but the tip of it looks awful pointed and is quite narrow for an alligator. also, it does look like the teeth are sticking out, just under the water.

              I may be wrong though, I'll admit it haha. I do know the difference between the two though (I'm a marine biology major and just did an exam wherein this was included).

              [–]emmycait 0 points1 point ago

              Marine bio is awesome (I graduated with a bio degree and do behavioral/genetic work with fish)! I took a herpetology course that included being able to identify crocodilian families and it definitely looks like an alligator (also, being around them in Florida all the time helps). Although, looking through the comments again someone posted a link to the source and it's stated that it's an alligator at Myakka River State Park in Sarasota.

              load more comments (19 replies)