6-foot long alligator spotted outside motel room in Virginia
Tourists at a motel in Fairfax County, Virginia, were left stunned after spotting an alligator casually walking outside their rooms. Police were alerted just after midnight and arrived to find a 6-foot reptile ambling about.
According to Virginia Police, the reptile escaped from its owner, who was transporting it from New York to a zoo in North Carolina
In a video released by the Fairfax County Police Department, one of the responding officers is heard exclaiming, “Damn! That is an alligator! There is actually an alligator outside the hotel.”
Another officer estimated the animal’s length, remarking that it would be “about 6 feet” if he lay down next to it.
One of the officers also warned a bystander to take their dog inside. The person responded, “I know, I want to see it.”
“What’s poppin’? A gator at your motel door, apparently.”
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) June 16, 2025
Moments later, the video shows police carefully securing the reptile. The clip quickly went viral on social media, drawing humorous reactions.
One user wrote, “Please tell me there aren’t alligators in FFX. I’ll need to move north if there are.”
Another joked, “Maybe he was just here for the parade.”
A third commented, “Just wanted a personal tour of the area 😂😂”
Animal control intervenes
Shortly after the call, Animal Protection Police arrived to assist the owner in safely placing the animal back into a vehicle.
According to Virginia Police, the alligator had escaped from its owner, who was driving it from New York to a zoo located in North Carolina. Though the animal was safely returned, officers instructed the individual to leave the county.
A spokesperson from the Fairfax County Police Department stated, “Due to Virginia state code, which prohibits the possession of certain exotic animals not native to the Commonwealth, the alligator and its owner were safely escorted out of the county.”
