A rare image of a raccoon appearing to ride on the back of an alligator has been captured by Richard Jones in a Florida forest.

The man was walking with his family in the Ocala National Forest when they spotted the alligator.

Richard Jones believes his son startled the raccoon while trying to take a picture of the reptile.

Photo Richard Jones

The image has become an internet sensation since the photo was taken on Sunday morning, June 14.

Richard Jones told local television station WFTV that he “snapped a lucky picture right when the gator slipped into the water and before the raccoon jumped off and scurried away”.

He added: “Without the context you’d think the raccoon was hitching a ride across the river.”

The picture was met largely with humor and a degree of admiration for the raccoon.