A SHOCKING video has shown the moment stunned shoppers were surprised by an alligator hiding under a row of carts.
This animal paid a surprise visit to a Publix store in Summerville, South Carolina, around 25 miles northwest of Charleston.
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The terrifying video showed the alligator sitting below the line of shopping carts.
This gator’s tail could clearly be seen poking outside of this row.
The viral video then panned around and showed how this area was blocked off to shoppers.
Other carts were used to corner off the area around the reptile, using caution tape.
The viral clip was recorded by Lisa Royal on June 26.
“Y’all this is happening right now at the Publix,” Royal said in the video.
“There is an alligator under the shopping carts outside.”
Royal said she was unsure how the situation ended but said she believed the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was called to the scene.
The shopper also explained how she felt at the time, according to NBC affiliate WFLA.
“It was so unbelievably out of the ordinary,” she said.
“I had to stop and document the moment!”
The shocking video drew comments from people after it was posted on Facebook.
Some commenters also shared their shock at the video.
“This is why I cannot live anywhere that has alligators running around,” one person said.
Alligator facts
This North American reptile is often confused with its counterpart, the crocodile.
Alligators are more prevalent in southern states like Florida and Louisiana.
They can be found anywhere from North Carolina to the Rio Grande in Texas.
These animals typically live for 50 years in the wild.
Alligators become safe from other predators, except humans and some other alligators, once they are at least four feet long.
Their jaws are strong enough to crack a turtle’s shell.
Alligators can be distinguished from crocodiles by their teeth.
An alligator has a large fourth tooth in its lower jaw which is not visible when its mouth is closed.
One of these reptiles can go through 3,000 teeth in their lifetime.
Source: Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute
“I will take a deer a hawk an owl or a groundhog over this any day.”
“I’d prolly walk right past it and then have a jump scare when trying to get my cart,” another person wrote.
Others were less terrified and commented on the animal’s size.
“Girl that thing is tiny,” one person said.
“Get your groceries and go on bout your business.”
“Poor little guy, he has no idea where to go,” another Facebook user said.