In 3rd grade (1989 or so), my G&T class were given an assignment to each do a presentation on an animal whose name started with a letter assigned by the teacher. There were only like 9 of us but I ended up with X. (In retrospect I figure this was because our teacher knew I was an incorrigible animal nerd who loved a challenge.)
So I hit the books—yes, the actual physical books—and in the encyclopedia volume containing X I struck gold: I learned of the existence of Xenopeltis unicolor, the sunbeam snake, and it instantly became my favorite reptile.
It still is today.
And as of earlier this month, I have realized yet another childhood dream and obtained a sunbeam snake of my very own.
This is Aurora. She's very docile. Her scales feel kind of like pleather. And photos do not do justice to how intense and vibrant her iridescence is in person.