Shoppers at a US mall were in for a shock after a four feet long potentially dangerous crocodile was found roaming around the building.
The Nile crocodile was spotted wandering in the shopping plaza in California earlier this week.
According to police, someone had abandoned the crocodile in a container in front of the Serpentarium, a reptile speciality business.
The creature, which had a duct tape around its snout, got out of the container and started roaming around the mall, 'News 10' reported.
"It got out. It was roaming around. We had to call animal control," a Serpentarium employee said.
The crocodile was then lassoed, placed in a cage and turned over to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, the report said.
According to the agency spokesperson Patrick Foy, even at just four feet, the crocodile could be a serious threat.
"This animal is dangerous right now. It's four feet long, it could very seriously injure or kill a child," Foy said.
