A two-headed snake has stunned breeders – with both of its brains apparently able to control its shared body.
The extremely rare ball python is continuing to defy the odds after hatching with two independently moving heads.
Both can drink water, flick their tongues and react when touched, with the snake’s body responding to each one.
READ MORE: Treasure hunter finds country’s largest ever Viking hoard of silver coins
- Advertisement -
Breeder Justin Stewart, 36, said: “The body reacts when each head is touched, giving us the idea that both brains have some control over the body.”
He is unsure whether the heads are aware of one another, but added: “They don’t seem to mind if they do.”
The remarkable reptile was hatched by Justin and Kari Jackson, 42, of Wish List Morphs in Eugene, Oregon, as reported by creatorzine.com.
It is now completing its first shed and appears to be doing well.
The unnamed hatchling is estimated to weigh around 70g and measure between seven and eight inches long.
- Advertisement -
Justin and Kari are keeping it hydrated and attempting to minimise stress as they wait to see whether it will be able to feed normally.
Ball pythons are generally not offered food until after their first shed, as hatchlings initially absorb nutrients from their yolk sac.
The breeders have arranged an appointment with an exotic animal vet for imaging to reveal more about the snake’s unusual internal anatomy.
- Advertisement -
Justin said: “So far they are doing great.
“They are currently shedding and we have an appointment with an exotics vet for some imaging.”
The snake has a slight hump where its two necks appear to meet internally, while the left head appears to have a slightly crooked jaw.
But both heads have taken water and the breeders say the animal does not appear to be struggling or in pain.
Justin made the extraordinary discovery when he checked an incubator on 19 August and spotted two noses poking through a single egg.
He initially thought twins were hatching.
Justin said: “We have hatched twins before, but we quickly realised there was only one body.
“From the movement of the body inside the egg, we knew we had hatched out something crazy.”
Justin began breeding reptiles in 2021 and Wish List Morphs has bred ball pythons for around five years.
But he and Kari had never encountered anything like the two-headed youngster.
The condition, known as bicephaly or dicephaly, occurs when an embryo begins dividing into identical twins but fails to separate completely.
It leaves an animal with two heads and brains sharing one body and can cause serious problems with movement, coordination and feeding.
Justin accepts the snake’s chances of reaching adulthood are slim.
If it survives, thrives and begins feeding successfully, the breeders will most likely find it a suitable permanent home.
The hatchling has already become a viral sensation after Wish List Morphs shared its progress online.
Justin said: “The breeding community has been in awe and supportive.
“Most of the general followers have been positive too, but we have received some pretty ugly comments.
“Things I guarantee nobody would say to my face, but that’s social media, I guess.”
One critic wrote: “This animal needs to be euthanised. It will not have a good quality of life.”
Wish List Morphs responded: “No, we will not cull it just because it is different.”
Others have been rooting for the unusual reptile.
One person said: “So cool! I hope it – or they – thrive!”
Another person added: “They are absolutely amazing! I’m wishing and pulling for you guys!”
Fans have also suggested names, including Barf and Belch – the two-headed dragon from How to Train Your Dragon.
Healthy ball pythons can typically live for between 20 and 30 years in human care, although there is no established life expectancy for a two-headed hatchling.
READ MORE: Ice smashes into a flat as hailstorm leaves resident ‘TERRIFIED’
