Meet Ralf and Sommer, a pair five-foot-long Malaysian crocodiles called tomistomas. They're mild mannered, but they’re hungry.
Now, meet Ricky.
Ricky’s a dead rat.
Or he was, before Sommer unceremoniously chewed him up.
Ricky is not-so-fondly named after someone’s evil ex-boyfriend.
It’s all a part of a fundraiser called “Love Bites" at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center.
Have an old flame you wish had been swallowed by a snake? Name a rat after them, and let an animal handler in Cupid wings do the rest.
What about that one slimy ex from college? They’ve got fish that might bear a resemblance.
The sharks and sea turtles are happy to slurp them down on your behalf.
Mackenzie Di Nardo from the Virginia Aquarium says they were blown away by the response from jilted lovers.
Folks were so hot to get some sympolic revenge, the fundraiser sold out within a day.
"It's an untraditional approach to celebrating Valentine's Day," Di Nardo admits.
The idea came from other aquariums that have done something similar.
All the proceeds are going to the Virginia Aquarium foundation to fund marine conservation, education and research.
And lest you think the Aquarium is anti-romance - nope, it’s just playing both sides.
The Aquarium’s hosting a Valentine's edition of it's adults-only “Sharks After Dark” event for those still happily in love.
