A teenager was left flummoxed after coming across this mysterious crocodile-like creature on his way to school.
The animal, which appears to be part fish and part reptile, was found on a canal bank in the town of Risca in Wales yesterday morning, Wales Online reports.
The schoolboy's mother Claire, who did not want to give her surname, posted pictures of the dead creature on Facebook after he rung her to tell her about his find - where they have sparked much curiosity.
"My son found it on his way to school this morning. He facetimed me straight away," Claire said.
"It was on the river bank, it looks like it's been put there intentionally or something like that.
"It was definitely real, it was smelling and starting to rot."
The animal, which is around two and a half foot in length and has a long nose with dozens of terrifying sharp teeth, was spotted by a number of other walkers on the towpath.
While its species is shrouded in mystery, people on social media are convinced it is an 'alligator gar' - a fish typically found in South America.
"It's mad - a few people have been saying that it looks like a pike and others an alligator gar. I've looked it up online and it does look like an alligator gar," Claire continued.
The RSPCA share this view - and say the "concerning" pictures suggest that the animal may have been abandoned after outgrowing its tank.
Alligator gars are currently not allowed to be kept as pets in the England and Wales.
It is believed the unusual creatures grow to 6ft and weigh over 100lb in their natural habitat.
However, research suggests they can reach 10ft and 350lb.
A RSPCA spokesman said: "These are very concerning images. RSPCA Cymru would welcome any information as to the validity of these photographs, which appear to show an alligator gar fish dumped on the side of the road.
"This is likely to have been a very distressing discovery for a member of the public to make; and we’d urge anyone with detail which may explain the circumstances behind this animal being dumped to contact us.
"There have been restrictions on the keeping of alligator gar fish in Wales for a number of years; and these would be very difficult animals to keep successfully as they can grow to be very large and their needs are the same as they would be in the wild.
"Sadly, we all too often see exotic pets abandoned when it hasn't been possible to meet their welfare needs.
"Should anyone have any information, we urge them to contact our 24-hour emergency line on 0300 1234 999."
