Bronx Zoo's Egyptian Cobra Gets A Name: Mia
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- When you attain world fame, you deserve a name, and now the Bronx Zoo's mischievous Egyptian cobra has one!
Nearly 60,000 people voted online for their favorite of five names and Mia, inspired by the phrase "missing in action," took the top spot getting 27 percent of the vote.
Other choices included:
- Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of ancient Egypt
- Subira, the Egyptian word for patience
- Amaunet, a goddess in ancient Egyptian religion
- Agnes, Greek for pure or holy
The public will have a chance to meet the world-famous cobra when she goes on exhibit for the first time Saturday at the Bronx Zoo's Reptile House.
The 20-inch deadly serpent made headlines after breaking from its cage on March 25.
The slithering sensation was found lurking in the shadows of the Reptile House about 200 feet from its cage last Thursday after nearly a week-long search.
In a flash, the snake became the stuff of urban legend.
Egyptian cobra sketches about the snake's liberty were done on late-night talk shows, a Twitter account and Facebook page were created, and of course knock-off products hit the scene. One was a coffee cup, with a version of the famous "I ♥ NY" logo – a coiled cobra replacing the heart symbol.
The snake's Twitter account became particularly popular, drawing more than 238,000 followers.
The snake was not happy with the selection of Mia, apparently. Thursday she Tweeted "So, the vote is in. They want to name me Mia. But in my heart I'll always know that my true name is Mrs. Justin Bieber."
Even though she's back in her cage the Tweets continue revealing her plan to bust out of the zoo yet again.
"Enough! Tonight I'm busting out. Just like that new A&E show, call me "Breakout King Cobra." Nothing can stop me!" the snake Tweeted earlier this week.
One Facebook community has an idea: a campaign has begun to get the snake to host "Saturday Night Live." So far, the page has about 9,800 "likes."
Related: CBS New York Exclusive: The Bronx Zoo Cobra Ssssspeaks
