Watch Amazing Footage Of A Two-Headed Snake Slither Around A Woman’s Arm

A two-headed snake? It can’t be. Or can it? In the video at the bottom of the page, you get a close look at a real two-headed snake. It was taken at a reptile zoo, and you get to learn how this snake ended up with two heads and how it behaves (including the distinctive way it eats!).

Check Out This Fascinating Snake in the Video Below!

Are California King Snakes Dangerous?

Although some snakes are considered dangerous because of their venom, the California king snake is non-venomous and considered harmless to humans. They do bite if they feel threatened or they’re provoked. However, their bites aren’t deeply penetrating, and they release their grip quickly.

Can Snakes Have Two Heads?

It might sound like something out of a sci-fi flick, but two-headed snakes do exist. They’re uncommon but sometimes, during the reproduction process, there is a mutation that results in two heads. The name of this condition is bicephaly. These snakes are so uncommon that the chance of this happening is only 0.001%.

Ben And Jerry: The California Two-Headed King Snake

When the video below starts, Brian from the Reptarium, a reptile zoo, is excitedly introducing Ben and Jerry, the two-headed snake that shares a single body. As he says their names, the cameraman zooms in on this unique California king snake with two heads protruding out of one body. He identifies which head is Ben and which is Jerry. He explains that Ben and Jerry are conjoined twins.

They are about four and a half years old, which is quite an accomplishment. Most two-headed snakes do not make it past their first year. Sadly, there is a 99% mortality rate for these rare snakes. If they make it past that initial stage and into adulthood, they continue with full lives, often living up to 20 or 25 years. The woman interviewing Brian asks if both Ben and Jerry eat.

Brian explains that they both eat but since they share a body, they instinctively take turns. He explains that Ben is the dominant head and usually takes the lead when it comes to mealtime. Jerry eats after Ben. To ensure feeding is safe, their caretakers feed them smaller meals. The woman asks if they ever try to go in different directions and Brian has her hold a finger up, right between the two heads.

Both Ben and Jerry push against her finger and when they realize they’re stuck, they back away. Brian says he’s seen them with their heads as far away from one another as they can go because they are trying to separate. Watch the full video below for all the interesting facts and to get a look at this unique reptile!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © iStock.com/GlobalP