A bagel shop owner in North Carolina was stunned to find that a three-foot alligator was among his first customers of the day.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Surveillance footage shows the stealthy swamp creature on Thursday entering through an open door in the back of Bagel Dock Express.
Before long, the tiny alligator crept its way toward the front of the store, spooking the store owner Jesse Driscoll, who then bolted outside.
Animal Control Services Removes Gator From Bagel Shop
Driscoll called 911 and Animal Control Services safely removed the alligator from the premises, albeit before being served any of the freshly baked bagels.
"It's just so far out of the ordinary for a bagel shop," Driscoll told WWAY News of the unexpected alligator encounter.
"You can see lots of things. People coming in. Friends coming in to say hi," he said. "But, never in a million years did I think I'd see an alligator."
Although they are usually not found wandering inside of bagel shops, alligator sighting are common in the southern regions of North Carolina.
Bagel Dock Express poked fun at the wild intrusion on social media.
"Apparently, word of our fresh bagels has made its way into the swamp!"
"No injuries, no drama. Just one very unusual customer! Fresh bagels. Wild experiences," the store wrote.
According to the bagel chain's website, Bagel Dock Express has seven locations across the country. Three stores are based in North Carolina, including one in Southport, where the alligator waltzed in.
The Southport location was voted one of North Carolina's best bagel shops, according to the website.
The pint-sized alligator was not the only recent wildlife intruder. Last month, a group of black bears raided a couple's truck in Tennessee, making off with a six-pack o beer and other snacks.
Pam Conley, who captured the now viral video, said they did not have time to unload the truck before the hungry bears broke into it.
Conley said the bears ran off with "granola bars, beer and Crunch 'n Munch."
In California, a black bear broke into a library Oct. 14 to steal a jar of honey. Oddly, the incident occurred on the 100th anniversary of Winnie the Pooh.
