Ohio zoo names snake Hanna, after celeb zookeeper

[December 18, 2010]  COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- An Ohio zoo has settled on a familiar name for its new snake that has replaced her record-breaking mother.

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium says its new reticulated python will be called Hanna -- which happens to be the last name of the zoo's celebrity zookeeper, Jack Hanna.

Hanna the snake was acquired last month from the same private breeder who had sold the zoo her mother, Fluffy. At 24 feet, Fluffy was the longest snake in captivity when she died in October of an apparent tumor.

At 18 feet, Hanna is a little shaver compared to her mom.

The zoo says a name-the-snake contest on Facebook awarded Hanna the most votes, slightly more than second-place, Fuzzy.

Jack Hanna says having a namesake chokes him up.

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Online:

http://columbuszoo.org/

[Associated Press]

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