US student poses with alligator for graduation photos

An animal-loving US university student posed with a fully-grown alligator for some truly one-of-a-kind graduation photos.

Makenzie Noland, 21, marked the end of her undergraduate career at Texas A&M University with a series of snaps showing her getting up close and personal with the creature.

In one photo, the daring undergraduate is shown putting her graduating class ring on the giant reptile’s nose.

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But while undeniably hair-raising, the stunt is not as reckless as it first appears. Noland is an old hand with alligators who is about to receive her degree in wildlife ecology.

While studying at Texas A&M, she worked as an intern at alligator sanctuary Gator Country, where the viral photos were taken.

Since joining the team in May, “she has taught visitors all about alligators, which requires her to get in the water with the gentle giants”, local ABC station KTXS reports.

Rather than cuddling up to a random reptile, Noland is in fact posing an alligator she describes as “one of my best friends here” - sanctuary resident “Big Tex”.

After working for weeks to gain the 1,000lb animal’s trust, she now “feeds him, tickles his nose and gives him kisses” whenever she is at work.

“I worked with this alligator every day, and I figured, ‘Why not wear a dress this time and celebrate my graduation with this incredible animal?’” she told Fox 13.

Her photos of the unique encounter have now been shared more than 5,500 times on Facebook.

Noland, who said in a follow-up post that she was “overwhelmed” by the attention the photos have attracted, says she hopes to go on to work in a zoo.