You can name a cockroach or rat after your ex - and then watch it get eaten by reptiles

A zoo in the United States is offering people the chance to name cockroaches and rats after their ex partners for a bit of Valentine’s Day revenge.

San Antonio Zoo in Texas is offering people the chance to get back at exes that are bugging them.

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Writing on their website, the zoo asked readers, “Have you ever been crushed by an ex? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you to mend that broken heart.”

For just $5 (around £3.85) staff at the zoo will name a cockroach after someone’s former lover, before feeding it to an animal during their ‘Cry Me a Cockroach’ event on Valentine’s Day.

Want more? You can pay $25 (£19.26) to have a rat named after your former flame, and fed to a reptile.

Live streamed

To keep things moderately civil, the zoo said all names are submitted anonymously, and only first names will be displayed during the feeding event.

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Today is the deadline for submitting a name to the zoo through their website, but don’t worry if you can’t make it to Texas for the big day.

The zoo is planning to stream the feedings live on Facebook for viewers to enjoy - so you will be able to savour your revenge from the comfort of your own home.

Anyone who names an animal after an ex will get a certificate to prove it, which can be shared on social media. Would you be brave enough to tag the ex in question in the post?

Pre-frozen rodents and cared-for cockroaches

All the rats and mice used to feed reptiles at San Antonio Zoo are humanely killed and pre-frozen. They are delivered from a farm and stored in the zoo’s nutrition centre before being thawed for feedings.

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Meanwhile the zoo’s cockroaches are bought from professional ‘roach breeders’ who care for the insect colony in the Reptile Department.

American Humane, the oldest animal rights group in the United States, have audited the treatment of feeder insects at the zoo. It was ‘Humane Certified’ by the organisation in 2017.