Sep 3 2010
Reptilemania at the San Diego Zoo
Why did it have to be snakes?
A few weeks ago, there came a day that a mother fears – the day when her five-year-old son declares that he wants a snake for his birthday. Especially if on that same day his father declares that yes, this is a possibility.
Oh, really.
So far, the five-year-old is just “totally into” snakes and lizards. At a friend’s birthday party recently, there was a Lizard Lady, who brought several cages of reptiles and showed them to the children, telling the crowd a little bit about each animal. There were lizards, turtles, small snakes, and a 75-pound Burmese Python. AT A CHILD’S BIRTHDAY PARTY. The Lizard Lady had the gall to invite parents to wrap the 75-pound snake around our shoulders for a photo opportunity.
I wouldn’t have considered the notion. But when I saw the look of rapture on my son’s face when she said that, I naturally stepped forward and volunteered to be the first. What else is a mom to do?
Our next reptilian adventure will take place in a far safer environment, which will not include any bodily contact between the snakes and myself. San Diego Zoo’s Reptilemania happens September 16 – 19 starting at 9:00 AM, and offers visitors up close and personal visits with the reptiles and the reptile keepers. They’ll present information about the various species that the Zoo has in residence, even show off tortoises that are estimated to be over 100 years old. Admission is included in the cost of a zoo ticket ($37 for adults, $27 for children).
Lucky for you, that same weekend is also White Elephant sale weekend at the Zoo gift shop. Discounted prices on lots of merch, so the exit doesn’t have to be as painful.
Anyway, Reptilemania should hold the kid’s snake fix for a while. Except that he’s since changed his mind and now he says he wants a tarantula for his birthday. Yes, that’s what I said. A tarantula.
There. Is. No. Way.
[photo from SanDiegoZoo.org]