Meet Trumpgator, a perfect mascot for the Donald

An orange-coloured alligator has appeared in South Carolina. Photo from Facebook

An unusually orange alligator spotted in South Carolina is making waves on social media for a complexion that many have compared to U.S. President Donald Trump. Nicknamed the “Trumpagator” by local residents, the rust-colored reptile was spotted sunning itself near a pond in the city of Hanahan. Numerous commenters on the Facebook page, where photos of the gator first appeared, have speculated on the origin of its eye-catching appearance.

The reptile is thought to have possibly been covered in a coat of dried clay, However, closer inspection of the reptile revealed the odd color is at least skin deep. One Twitter user playfully theorized that perhaps the gator may have “used too much self-tanner?!?!”

According to Kent A. Vliet, an alligator biologist at the University of Florida, it’s very likely that the gator won’t remain that peculiar colour for the foreseeable future.

“I have no doubt that animal is stained somehow,” he told Post and Courier. “He’s the colour of rust. ” He may have rested or resided in a pool of industrial chemicals, spilled into the waterways. Perhaps he made his home near decomposing vehicles or manmade materials also dumped into waterways, as is often the case with our careless disregard for rivers and lakes.

So rather than an odd genetic defect, Vilet theorizes that there’s an environmental explanation for the alligator’s tan-coloured appearance that should eventually fade.

But the obvious explanation is that he is a Republican alligator who is here to  mentor and guide the 'Great Orange One' residing in the White House.