Georgia Couple Reportedly Finds Snake in Amazon Package

A Georgia couple received an unexpected surprise when opening an Amazon package on Sunday.

Charene and Njeri Rucker, of Clayton County, said a snake fell out of a parcel containing their storage bins, according to WSB-TV. The package reportedly had a hole in its bottom.

The couple said in an interview with the ABC-affiliated news station that they called an animal control agency, which identified the reptile as a non-venomous juvenile banded water snake and subsequently released it into the South River.

The channel said that Amazon is investigating the event. The couple has asked the company to pay for the more than $400 they spent for the snake removal. The business has refunded the couple for their order.

Amazon said it shipped more than five billion items around the world through its Prime service last year, according to Reuters. Purchasers occasionally receive surprising contents with their orders.

In October, a Florida couple received 65 pounds of marijuana along with the storage units they had purchased. Newsweek reported that the weed supply could have sold for about $200,000. The couple sold the supply and said they feared retribution from whoever shipped the drugs.

"We were still pretty fearful our home would be broken into, and we didn't sleep there for a few days," they said.

Other unexpected arrivals have been more concerning.

Earlier this year, dozens of people reported receiving "mystery" packages they hadn't ordered. One couple in Massachusetts received over 20 packages containing items such as a tent lamp, an outdoor TV cover and a selfie light, according to USA Today.

"At first it was kind of weird. Then kind of funny. Then kind of creepy," Kelly Gallivan told The Washington Post."We don't want this stuff. Some of it's trash; some it's pretty good stuff. But we just don't want this stuff and, it's just an uncomfortable feeling that we keep getting these things."

The Boston Globe reported in February four women received sexually suggestive items, like sex toys or lingerie, they hadn't ordered. Women interviewed for the article said the packages disturbed them and caused anxiety.

"I've been basically living in fear of a stalker due to the content of the packages," 26-year-old Nicole Slotterbeck said.

Amazon responded in a statement that said "we are taking action against bad actors that abuse our systems and services for marketing purposes. Customer safety is a top priority and we encourage any customer that has a question about a package to contact our Customer Service."