A two-headed snake is now on display at uShaka in Durban

Come check this: A rare two-headed snake is now on display in the Dangerous Creatures Exhibit at uShaka Marine World in Durban.

The two-headed southern brown egg-eating snake that was rescued by Nick Evans has found a new home. The 30cm serpent, named Jean-Claude, is now on display at the Dangerous Creatures Exhibit at uShaka Marine World in Durban.

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SAAMBR EXPLAINS HOW IT IS POSSIBLE FOR AN ANIMAL TO HAVE TWO HEADS

Taking to Facebook, the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) said Jean-Claude was given the name by herpetologists (scientists who study amphibians and reptiles).

Going into detail about the two-headed snake, SAAMBR said the phenomenon is known as bicephaly or dicephaly. It tends to happen when twin embryos do not completely separate. In humans, this is called co-joined twins.

HOW WILL JEAN-CLAUDE EAT, WHEN THE TIME COMES?

Jean-Claude has not yet been offered any food since being relocated. SAAMBR says this is because snakes such as this generally do not eat over winter. Adding that the southern brown egg-eaters typically eat three or four times every year!

When it is time for the two-headed wonder to eat, both Jean and Claude will be offered finch eggs.

“The radiograph images show clearly that the two spines are fusing. It would then be safe to assume that the two heads share most of the organs, such as the stomach and lungs. The left neck/head is 33mm long, and the right neck/head is 37mm long. The radiographs show the lungs clearly, but it is also obvious that the spinal cord is still very soft and cartilaginous, which is normal for a juvenile. No clear pathology is evident,”

said SAAMBR veterinarian, Dr Francois Lampen about Jean-Claude.

30CM LONG AND RARE TWO-HEADED SNAKE RESCUED IN NDWEDWE, KZN

Previously, it was reported that KwaZulu-Natal-based snake rescuer, Nick Evans rescued a two-headed serpent in Ndwedwe. Evans said the two-headed snake is a Southern Brown egg eater which is common and harmless. 

Evans said two-headed serpents have hatched in captivity and in the wild, but it’s very rare, it is a deformity. The snake was spotted by a man in his yard in Ndwedwe. The snake rescuer also added that it was such a strange sight, seeing this deformed snake. 

Evans said the serpent is in professional care now and there is no point in releasing it. Southern Browns generally don’t live long, reportedly. Read the full story here.

By: Reeshni Chaslyn Chetty