Help Name the Forest Preserve District's New Resident Reptile

The Forest Preserve District of Will County is seeking the public's help in naming the newest addition to the animal menagerie at Plum Creek Nature Center in Crete Township.

After the passing of Bud the ball python, which served as the nature center's resident snake ambassador for 10 years, the nature center recently acquired a new rescue animal. It's a 5-year-old ball python just like Bud, but this time it's a female.

Help the District choose just the right title for this special serpent. The Forest Preserve has provided four options below. All you have to do is pick your favorite, and then go to Facebook or Twitter to place your vote.

Voting closes at midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 22, and the top selection will be announced the following week.

Here are the four options – but remember, you have to vote on the Forest Preserve's Facebook or Twitter pages for your ballot to count:

Penny
Her skin shimmers in the sun like a new shiny penny! She also has copper tones throughout her scales. “Penny the Python” has a nice ring to it.

Mali
Ball pythons are native to South Mali in West Africa. The name comes from the brown Mali garnet gemstone, and its colors range from yellow to brown.

Cleopatra or Cleo for short
Cleopatra was known for her great love and beauty, and was often portrayed with a snake or some type of snake-adorned jewelry.

Xena
This name comes from the TV show "Xena: Warrior Princess," and fits the new snake because she is a mighty and strong female!