On December 10, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The role of the dark water snake, the symbol of 2013 according to the Chinese calendar, at the Vitebsk Zoo has been assigned to a land albino python, said the zoo director Irina Orlova. Five inhabitants of the zoo vied for the main serpentine role in the coming year. The anaconda, although called a water snake by zoologists, was immediately rejected by the expert council due to its bad temper - it is quarrelsome and aggressive. The corn snake turned out to be too small - only half a meter long, and the Indonesian and Argentine pythons seemed like mediocre performers. However, the tiger python, despite being an albino, was suitable both in its model parameters: weighing about 100 kg and almost five meters long, and in its temperament - calm and good-natured. It is precisely such a year – abundant, prosperous, and bright – that the coming year should be for those visitors of the Vitebsk Zoo who will have their photo taken with the albino python, believes Irina Orlova. A lucky photo session will be organised at the zoo until the Chinese New Year begins – until February 10, 2013. The Vitebsk Zoological Park was founded on March 30, 1992, on the basis of the city's existing animal theatre. Currently, over 70 species of animals – more than 1,000 individuals – are kept here on an area of 1.3 hectares. -0-

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