With a reputation as venomous killing machines, many fear snakes. Others mistake their shiny scales, thinking them slimy and gross. One snake in particular might change your mind with a dazzling display perfect for pride month.
On Twitter, @paintands — first name Maura — loves to share photos of the unusual collection of animals at her California home. Recently she shared pictures of her sunbeam snake, Vespira.
“Can you believe Mother Nature decided to go this hard,” Maura asked as she shared a trio of photos of the reptile. The snake’s scales are iridescent, displaying a rainbow of colors all over its body.
The sunbeam snake, otherwise known as a xenopeltis unicolor, is non-venomous and, as Maura warns, not for the beginning snake fan.
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“Though these snakes are dazzling they are 99% wild caught imports that are very difficult to keep alive in captivity,” she said on Twitter. “They can die from stress.”
Nevertheless, she is proud of Vespira, calling her a “gorgeous pride snake.”
Twitter users chimed in with their appreciation of Vespira, professing their love for this gorgeous reptile, and even suggesting that Mother Earth herself is “hella gay.”
Can you believe mother nature decided to go this hard pic.twitter.com/xkf2SoO8Cr
— maura (@painthands) June 1, 2018
