Facebook

Two-Headed Snake Found in Northern Virginia

The two-headed snake has a single heart and one set of lungs

A two-headed snake recently found in Northern Virginia may be sent to a zoo.

The two-headed baby Eastern Copperhead was found in Woodbridge last week, the Wildlife Center of Virginia said. A state herpetologist brought the snake to the hospital Thursday for an exam, the center said.

"It appears as though the left head is more dominant — it's generally more active and responsive to stimulus," the center said in a release on its website.

The snake has two tracheas, with the left one more developed, and two esophagi, with the right one more developed. The snake has a single heart and one set of lungs.

"Based on the anatomy, it would be better for the right head to eat, but it may be a challenge since the left head appears more dominant," the center said.

State biologists believe both heads are capable of biting and distributing venom, the Charlotte Observer reported,

State herpetologist J.D. Kleopfer said in a Facebook post that two-headed snakes are extremely rare because "they just don't live that long." He says he hopes to donate the snake to a zoo facility.

The snake is currently being cared for by a private reptile keeper, Kleopfer said in the post.

[NATL] Adorable Zoo Babies: White Lion Cubs Nala and Simba Born in France

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us