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WOODBRIDGE, VA – An inhabitant of northern Virginia found a mutant two-headed copper-headed snake in a flower bed; Wildlife experts now take care of the rare viper in the hope that she can be transferred to a zoo. A reptiles and amphibians specialist from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries says these animals have trouble surviving in the wild because the two leaders want to take different actions.
Earlier this month, the young Eastern Copperhead was found in a yard in Woodbridge. He was about two weeks old at this spot and 6 inches long; it should reach 18 to 36 inches in length. The finder sent the Virginia Herpetological Society for identification and the state herpetologist J.D. Kleopfer have picked up the snake. On September 20, he brought it to the Wildlife Center of Virginia for X-rays.
"Wild-headed snakes are extremely rare – they just do not live that long," said the Wildlife Center. "The herpetologist will continue to monitor the snake; if it survives, it will likely be placed in a school."
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The examination revealed that the left head of the snake is more dominant; he is more active and responsive to stimulants. X-rays have shown that the snake has two tracheas [the left one is more developed], two esophagus [the right one is more developed]and the two heads share a heart and a set of lungs.
"According to the anatomy, it would be better for the good chef to eat, but that could be a challenge since the left head seems more dominant," said Center staff.
Stephanie Myers found the snake in her neighbor's lawn and shared photos with USA Today. "I wanted to look away, but I could not help but look at it, play with your eyes," she told the newspaper.
Copperhead photos used with permission of the Wildlife Center of Virginia
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