A 10-YEAR-OLD boy from Wellington, New Zealand, was reportedly made to take off his T-shirt and turn it inside out before boarding a plane in South Africa because it depicted a snake.

Stevie Lucas was with his family Dec. 17 at the security gate at O.R. Thambo Airport when staff asked him to take off the offending T-shirt and put on another.

The offending tee was black, with a green snake picture draped over the shoulder, according to Netwerk 24.

The family was reportedly told nobody was allowed toys or rubber snakes on the flight.

Stevie’s mom, Marga Lucas, told him to turn his T-shirt inside out to avoid a confrontation with security officers, family spokesperson Kobus Rudolph said.

The family had emailed the Airports Company of South Africa and was told the company was seeking more clarity on the reason for the clothing rule.

Stevie and his parents Marga and Steve were on holiday in Pretoria and were headed for George to visit grandparents.

Netwerk 24 reported he had inherited his love of snakes from his dad, and that they often visited pet stores to look at reptiles, spiders and bugs while in South Africa.

Airport spokeswoman Betty Maloka said snake toys and prints were not allowed. Rules for prohibited items were set by the International Civil Aviation Organization.

(SD-Agencies)