As Senior Madi Bowen sits on her laptop, working on homework and surfing the Internet, a 3-foot long, Ball Python casually slithers across her computer. Her name is Athena. And while most people would find snakes to be slimy, gross and scary, Athena breaks this stereotype and shows that a book shouldn’t be judged by its cover.

“She’s just interesting,” Bowen said. “Her pattern is really cool and she is really pretty. Her personality and she just explores everything. She thinks everything is really cool and she is super nice.”

Madi first discovered Athena in a pet shop a few weeks ago when Bowen and her friend, Joey Klutenkamper, visited to tend to the two lizards that Klutenkamper owns. Bowen felt the connection instantly. She went back the next day to take the year-old snake back with them. Currently, Klutenkamper and Bowen co-own the snake.

“I was looking at the snake and I was like ‘I feel the attachment, there is a connection here’ and then he was like ‘we can actually do this.’” Bowen said. “So we went and just got her.”

Taking care of a pet can be difficult at times. The constant feeding or walking or watching of a pet can sometimes be a deal breaker, much less a snake that many find scary or hostile. However, Athena is not like that. Their snake only eats a mouse once a week. Other than that Bowen just watches and interacts with the snake, keeping them both entertained. Another very important characteristic that Athena possess is that she is an explorer according to Bowen. She is a snake that slithers around to discover something new. Her friendly nature shines through as she has never once bitten neither Klutenkamper or Bowen.

“When we first got her, I wasn’t to fond of owning a snake,” Klutenkamper said. “Two days later, I absolutely loved Athena. Although she is extremely clumsy, she is the friendliest pet I’ve owned.”