Chapter 21 Golden Python_1

The zoo was not overly crowded, but definitely not deserted either.

As one of the more successful zoos in terms of marketing, Rong City Zoo certainly had better amenities, including convenient parking.

Before entering the zoo, Feng Yi already felt the atmosphere.

At the entrance, several employees dressed in cute animal costumes were distributing brochures and posing for photos with visitors.

Various shops were also filled with animal elements, from snacks and drinks to everyday goods, each with its own characteristics.

After scanning his ticket to enter, Feng Yi saw a recent event introduction on the notice board.

Due to a recent rodent infestation in Rong City, the disgust for mice was extreme. Although the city-wide cleanup had reduced the mouse population significantly, and the mouse plague had passed, people were still shaken by the mention of mice. Some even developed psychological trauma, not just adults but children as well, who would start crying at the mere mention of mice.

In response, the zoo had specially arranged a rodent exhibit, selecting species with cute appearances and endearing characteristics, such as guinea pigs, hamsters, squirrels, chinchillas, and more. Not all "mice" were so frightening.

Feng Yi found the advertisement for this event quite interesting and headed towards the venue following the signs.

Upon arrival, he found the place was packed with people! Many were parents who brought their children, some of whom had been scared by mice during the rodent outbreak.

Seeing the crowd, Feng Yi lost interest in joining the throng.

Gazing around, he noticed a science lecture hall, currently presenting—

"The Influence of Rodent Coprophagy on Cognition"

Feng Yi: "..."

Farewell.

Leaving the event area, Feng Yi visited several furry exhibit areas; they were quite crowded, so he just watched from a distance.

Following the map, Feng Yi headed towards the amphibian and reptile house, which was said to be less crowded.

Feng Yi had planned to check out some venomous snakes first. Just as he walked over, he saw a foreign tour group heading toward the venomous snake section.

A blond middle-aged man was talking to someone next to him, holding a phone and taking pictures of a snake.

Feng Yi peered over.

The subject was the country's top-ranked silver ringed snake.

Before the period of unusual climate, their numbers were relatively high.

The abnormal climate period hit oviparous animals hard, and in those nearly twenty years, hatch rates for wild oviparous animals hit record lows every year. If eggs failed to hatch and adults died due to various diseases or life span limits, the population couldn't possibly remain large. Some species were functionally extinct as a result.

Viviparous snakes fared slightly better, but their numbers also plummeted due to various factors.

For those who detest snakes, the extinction of snakes worldwide would be a welcomed event. However, the collapse of the ecological chain would have a massive impact, affecting more than just one or two species.

Feng Yi looked ahead to the tour group and abandoned the idea of going to the venomous snake area. He continued inward, where the foreign tour group had passed—the python section.

Niuniu, one of the zoo's star animals, a golden python, was housed here.

The venomous snake area mostly contained native venomous snakes, which were uncommon or not very well-known in some countries. Thus, the members of the foreign tour group were more interested in these native snakes. Golden pythons, however, had plenty of individuals measuring six or seven meters abroad, with even larger specimens existing in greater numbers overseas.

The golden python was somewhat special; it had been kept as a pet and mass-produced for sale. There had once been a heated debate about whether the golden python should be classified as a wild animal.

Later, the private breeding of these animals without a license was banned, followed by the introduction of the strictest protection laws, which imposed more limitations. So now, if you want to see a golden python, it has to be in a zoo or some other non-private facility.

This golden python at Rong City Zoo was named Niuniu by the zoo and measured nearly seven meters in length.

Last year, there was an event where schools brought students to the zoo to observe and then draw one or several animals. The zoo would select ten of these drawings to display in the visitor interactive exhibition area.

A student drew a personification painting of Niuniu — Kong Barbie·Niuniu.

The zoo found it amusing and decided to keep it. Later, they discussed with the student and the student's parents to buy the copyright and produced a batch of personified golden python themed merchandise. After all, some people are terrified of snakes, but they can accept them if they're anthropomorphized.

This golden python lived with top-tier treatment in the zoo, residing in an eco-friendly, forest-style mansion, fully simulating a suitable natural habitat. It even had a pool for soaking, and there were staff members who cleaned its forest-style mansion every day.

The golden python had once been kept as a pet and was mostly bred in captivity, which made it less immune and weaker in disease resistance. Compared to other wild snakes, it was relatively "delicate" and didn't have a wild population; releasing it would likely lead to its death.

When Feng Yi arrived, the large python seemed to be resting, with ferns covering half of its body from the ground. However, from Feng Yi's perspective, most of its head was still visible.

So, Feng Yi just stared at the visible half of its head.

Those big nostrils really stood out...

Oh, right, those weren't nostrils, those were heat-sensing pits.

Heat-sensing pits, huh...

Feng Yi touched his own face.

Wondering if he would suddenly develop a pair of dimples on his face.

Perhaps it was Feng Yi's intense gaze, or the golden python sensed Feng Yi's presence; it emerged from the corner.

Feng Yi then stared into its eyes.

He heard that snakes don't see very well, not as well as they sense heat with their infrared-sensing pits.

Since snakes often prey on warm-blooded animals, this infrared-sensing capability is practically a superpower for them. Of course, another superpower is their tongue, which captures scent molecules.

Feng Yi wasn't interested in split tongues, but he continued wondering when he might grow those "dimples."

He then remembered what the butler said about people's views on snakes: they're either food or pets.

Food was definitely not an option.

He decided to see it as a pet instead.

Feng Yi watched for a while.

Nope, it still wasn't as cute as the furry animals.

However, compared to other snake species with scarier appearances, the albino mutant looked relatively nice.

Feng Yi flicked out two sharp fangs and greeted it through the glass, "Hi~"

The golden python inside turned its head and left, soon vanishing from sight.

In the backyard of the golden python's forest-style mansion.

The keeper was cleaning and also checking if there were any malfunctions with the equipment. The temperature control and humidifiers needed to be checked every day.

While working, the keeper saw the golden python running over from the front, hissing as it came.

In simple terms, it was as if Niuniu had suddenly gotten upset and stormed into the backyard, cursing and swearing.

This large python was usually gentle by nature. Having been in the zoo for a long time, it often interacted with visitors through the glass and seldom lost its temper. Being a celebrity animal was not just about having a pretty face; they had to attract their own crowds.

Its current exclusive forest-style mansion was also a reward for its own merits.

The keeper put down their tools and got up, intending to check if some foolish visitor had threatened it again.