Strange how experts feed 2-headed snakes

The Cape Girardeau Nature Conservation Center in Missouri (USA) is keeping an extremely rare two-headed black rat snake in captivity. This snake was first discovered in 2005 and after 17 years it is now 1.52 m long.

Sharing about how to feed two-headed snakes, expert Alex Holmes at the Cape Girardeau conservation center described: "With a normal snake of this size it will easily swallow an adult mouse. However. , with this two-headed snake, it is different. Due to the conjoined spine, it is very difficult to swallow young mice, except for very small mice."

The expert explained that because each snake's head has a "fight when eating", they have to block the other end with a drinking cup. The right head finished eating for a while and then continued to feed the left head. This ensures food passes through the junction down the esophagus without the obstacle of "choking".

"This two-headed snake shares the same stomach, but we feed both heads to stimulate their natural instincts," added expert Alex.

The way to feed two-headed snakes is also very special when you have to cover one head.

This two-headed snake has lived up to 17 years, which is also surprising to scientists. In fact, the survival rate of two-headed snakes is extremely low, only about 1/100 million.

"Most conjoined baby snakes die shortly after birth. However, I know of cases where two-headed snakes lived for 20 years," said snake expert Steve Allain. "However, in the wild. I've never seen a two-headed snake live for 17 years."

Two-headed snakes have a survival rate of only about 1 in 100 million.

Because they have 2 heads, 2 brains, they often "beat the drums up and down" when moving. Therefore, they are only suitable for living in captivity.

"That makes them easy prey for hungry hawks, skunks or raccoons if they live in the wild," expert Alex emphasized.