The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

Some Des Moines residents had a bit of a scare, and a laugh, after they found a five-foot reptile lurking in the parking lot.

As it turns out, it was a toy. The Animal Rescue League of Iowa Animal Services posted a photo on their Facebook page. They said they respond to calls about wildlife every day, but this call was a little extra wild.

They were called to a Des Moines apartment complex for reports of an alligator. While the fear was real, the gator was not.

It's stuffed and is now in the care of ARL Animal Services.

Hearst Television participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.