Some fourth-graders at Madison's Marquette Elementary School got to see something Wednesday they likely never will again - Principal Joy Larson wearing a boa.
Not the fluffy, feathery kind, mind you.
The 45-pound, 8-foot boa draped around Larson's neck and shoulders was scaly and very much alive.
The red-tailed boa constrictor was one of three reptiles who took a field trip from their home at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium to promote its new exhibit "Lizard and the Komodo King," which is on view through February.
Traveling with the boa, in separate containers, were Uncle Fester, an Argentinian black and white tegu lizard measuring a little over 3 feet long, and a much smaller leopard gecko named Leona.
Uncle Fester, who is on loan for the lizard exhibit, is owned by the aquarium's former veterinarian, whose son gave him his name. The other two reptiles also had been pets before they became too much for their owners to handle, underscoring the importance of knowing what you are getting into with exotic animals, said aquarist Jeff Mitchell, who accompanied the reptiles on their trip.
Mitchell also stressed the importance for youngsters to have a chance to get up close and personal with the reptiles so they can understand how important all animals are to the ecosystem and how to be more attuned to conservation efforts.
"We only have one Earth," Mitchell said. "Once that's gone, that's gone."
The 20 fourth-graders in teacher Linda Brown's class oohed and aahed as, one by one, the reptiles were brought out of their containers. Most were eager to touch the boa and come face to face with Uncle Fester and Leona.
Ten-year-old Emma Hetzel said she thought the boa, measuring about 12 inches around, felt "kind of slimy," but she was undaunted by the reptilian visitors.
Nine-year-old Frankie Day had a different reaction. "I was freaked out," she said.
Larson said her encounter with the boa reminded her of how it felt when she was pregnant with her two children.
"I felt like it was part of me," she said. "You could feel every single muscle moving."
The students seemed to enjoy Larson's experience almost as much as their own.
"It was funny," said student Carolyn Lynch, 9. "Usually, you won't see that."
"I think this is the only time they will see a principal with a snake wrapped around her," Larson said, adding, "I kind of liked the look."Wisconsin State Journal
