The Bronx Zoo’s Egyptian cobra escaped from its exhibit in the zoo’s reptile house on March 25 and slithered into Americans’ hearts. Well, at least mine. When it comes to animals, I’m pretty much a sucker. I fell in love with Paul the Octopus and Knut the Polar Bear almost instantly — may they both rest in peace — but when I first heard of the Bronx Zoo cobra’s escape, I did not feel any sense of remorse. Then the cobra joined Twitter.

One bite from the Bronx Zoo cobra could kill a human in 15 minutes. Yet the persona created by the snake’s hilarious Twitter account made the cobra a lovable sensation, proving that, thanks to Twitter, even a venomous snake can prompt a clothing line. With more than 200,000 followers on Twitter, the Bronx Zoo cobra’s anonymous Twitter account is gaining enough attention to (almost) quiet Charlie Sheen. Animals looking to break into worldwide fame should look to the Bronx Zoo cobra’s Twitter account as a guide to a fast track to stardom.

The cobra joined Twitter on March 28, three days after its escape. The person behind the account has remained anonymous, usinganthropomorphism to its fullest and most marketable effect.

Snakes are among Americans’ greatest fears, but the cobra’s escape has actually led people to visit the zoo, according to a New York Daily News article. Creating a scavenger hunt-esque series of tweets turned the story of the missing cobra into one large game of hide-and-seek as the anonymous user tweeted and commentated on the snake’s possible whereabouts within New York City.

Furthering its lovability, the snake was not reluctant to tweet its feelings toward other current events and people, such as the YouTube singer Rebecca Black. On March 28, the snake tweeted, ‘Anyone know if Rebecca Black lives in NYC? No reason.’ Later that day, the snake took a jab at Charlie Sheen: ‘Dear @CharlieSheen, know what’s better than tiger’s blood? Cobra venom. #winning #snakeonthetown Also I’m 20 inches long. Just sayin’.’

The hilarity of the cobra’s Twitter account continued to make the snake newsworthy until it was found on March 31. Zoo director Jim Breheny said in a press conference that the snake was found in a dark corner of the reptile house and is now being held under observation before returning to its exhibit.

The snake had its week worth of fame, probably the right amount before followers got bored and moved onto Brutti, the missing Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tortoise. Still, milking the escape for all its worth, the Bronx Zoo decided to continue its publicity stunt by hosting a naming contest to name the Bronx Zoo cobra on its website. I can only hope that, maybe, America will name the tenacious female creature Amanda. Or Katy Perry. I’d be cool with that. 

Amanda Abbott is ajunior geography and information management and technology major. Her column appears occasionally, and she can be reached at aeabbott@syr.edu.

Published on April 3, 2011 at 12:00 pm