Wheaton, Ill. — The Cosley Zoo Facebook page celebrated the birthday of Coal the Black Rat snake’s birthday yesterday. Coal turned ten on June 30, 2025.
The zoo shared that Coal was hatched at North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores on June 30, 2015. Coal first arrived at Cosley Zoo when he was three years old. Cosley said that Coal is now seven feet long at ten years old. Cosley staff will periodically use Coal in education programs and public encounters at the zoo.
The zoo said that Coal is an “engaging animal ambassador.” Coal is known for amazing guests with strong and fluid movements and smelling his surroundings by reaching with his long black tongue. Snakes are animals that prefer to stay hidden and keep their space. They are important pest controllers, the zoo said.
