Cheeky snake brings smiles to Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo

ROME, NY – Our relocated Roman reptile is attracting national attention.

The local journey of the 4.9-meter-long, albino Burmese python began in New Hartford and ended in Rome, where it captured interest and hearts.

On August 28, an interesting email landed in the inbox of the Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo.

Cheeky snake brings a smile to Fort Rickey Discovery Zoo

Rebecca Stedman, the owner of the local zoo, explained how the snake, now named Mango, got there.

“We got an email from Officer Hull in the morning simply asking if we were interested in a 13-foot python,” she said.

“Of course,” she continued, “we were a little stunned, and I had to stop and think about it for a moment,” she added.

13-foot-long Burmese python seized from New Hartford home; snake donated to Rome Zoo

Imagine you see a four-meter-long snake in your neighbor's house.

The well-cared-for, unlicensed reptile was stolen from its willing owner in a New Hartford home.

Fort Rickey felt that the python could be given shelter and was happy to roll out the red carpet for it.

“What we are doing here is education,” Stedman said.

“We want to teach people about snakes, and they [Mango] is a great example of that… There are a lot of phobias out there, and a phobia is an irrational fear. So we try to help people overcome it, understand it and appreciate it, because snakes are vital to us in nature,” she explained.

Stedman has been intensively involved in research on the snake.

“Now we know that she really should be fed every three to four weeks. She should be fed an animal that is about the same size as her body girth. That's best for her. We know that she'll peak at four years old, so she should slow down her growth. She's about 13 feet tall now. She has the potential to grow to 17 feet tall,” Stedman said.

More cool facts:

Mango was born with the same number of scales she will die with. She won't grow any more as she gets older – the ones she has will just get bigger.

And soon you'll be able to see the social snake up close at Fort Rickey.

“She is an animal that can be held, touched and shared with the public,” Stedman explained.

“She is perfectly safe for this, but she is a very large animal, so to do this we would need at least two or three staff members available,” she added.

Mango can be viewed through a glass display case next to the gift shop.

Fort Rickey has been inundated with inquiries about Mango, including inquiries from national media.

The royal reptile continues to bask in the spotlight.

Mango will be on display tonight from 6-9pm at Fort Rickey's End of Summer Bash.

Twister the goat will also be there.

Twister was born just an hour before the tornado that swept through Rome.