Two-headed albino snake goes on display

A two-headed hognose snake born to a Virginia breeder has just recently gone on display at the Venice Beach Freakshow, where it’s already been making news. Referred to by its new owner as “the rarest snake in the world,” the snake is remarkable for not only having two heads, but for having albino skin as well. The snake(s), named Lenny and Squiggly, joined the Venice Beach Freakshow’s growing collection of living two-headed animals.

Their rarity was not without a price, however, for Venice Beach Freakshow owner Todd Ray paid $20,000 for them. Though two-headed animals rarely live more than several months, Todd is confident that the 9 month old snakes stand a very good chance to live a full life. “The first time they ate for me, it was like I won the Super Bowl,” Todd said, who had overcome the animals’ reluctance to eat and now plans to feed each head twice a week.

Like many two-headed snakes, both of their heads are fully functional and independent, though one of them exerts a far greater control over the body. Conjoined animals like Lenny and Squiggly often of difficulty moving due to conflicting orders from the two heads, making survival in the wild all but impossible. Life in captivity fares little better, though several animals have lived their full lifespans. Notably, another two-headed albino snake, named We, lived a full life of eight years as The World Aquarium’s main attraction in St. Louis, Missouri. With any luck, these two snakes will live long and continue to fascinate onlookers, as many other two-headed animals have done for thousands of years.