Prank gone wrong ... Joshua James allegedly threw a metre-long alligator through the window of a fast food restaurant in Florida. Picture: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Joshua James, 23, wanted to play a practical joke on a friend working at the Wendy’s restaurant in Florida when he decided to hurl the reptile into the building in October.

“It was just a stupid prank that he did that’s now turning into this,” James’ mother, Linda James, told local broadcaster WPTV, adding that her son is a huge fan of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.

“He’s a prankster. He does stuff like this because he thinks it’s funny.”

Serious allegations ... Joshua James, 23, faces charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession. Picture: Palm Beach Sheriff's OfficeSource:Supplied

Officials retrieved the animal from the restaurant’s kitchen, taped its jaws shut and released it to a nearby canal.

James faces charges of aggravated assault and unlawful possession, and transportation of an alligator.

He found the metre-long alligator on the side of the road and led the reptile into his truck, according to a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission incident report cited by the station.

Worried ... Joshua James’ parents Ed and Linda James said their son idolises Steve Irwin. Picture: WPTVSource:Supplied

He drove to the Wendy’s restaurant and placed an order, received a drink at the drive-through window and then threw the alligator through the opening, it said.

The report contains a photo of the alligator sitting on the floor of the restaurant, WPTV reported.

The American alligator is listed as “a species of special concern” in Florida, according to the state Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, with state law prohibiting killing, harassing or possessing alligators.

Scene ... Joshua James allegedly tossed an alligator through the window of Wendy’s in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Picture: WPTVSource:Supplied