A remarkable two-headed rat snake, affectionately named Tiger-Lily, recently underwent surgery at a Missouri zoo to address health concerns related to her reproductive system, wildlife experts have revealed.
The journey to surgery began when Tiger-Lily displayed unusual symptoms, sneezing up traces of blood during a feeding session approximately two weeks prior. Recognizing the significance of this alarming sign, staff swiftly arranged for her evaluation by the Animal Health Team at the Saint Louis Zoo, as detailed in a post on the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website by naturalist Lauren Baker.
Upon examination, veterinarians discovered that Tiger-Lily was experiencing pre-ovulatory stasis in her ovaries, a condition where follicles fail to ovulate, leading to inflammation and infection risks, explained Michael Warshaw, a staff veterinarian at the zoo. Given the circumstances, the decision was made to perform surgery to remove her ovaries.
On March 11, Tiger-Lily underwent a successful procedure at the Saint Louis Zoo Endangered Species Research Center and Veterinary Hospital. The surgical team removed her ovaries, and she is currently recuperating under their care. To facilitate her recovery, Tiger-Lily will remain off-display for an estimated month-long period, according to the department’s website.
Incredibly rare
Two-headed snakes like Tiger-Lily are incredibly rare, occurring at a rate of only one in 100,000 births, as noted by The Reptarium. This unique condition, known as bicephaly, results from an incomplete splitting of an embryo during reproduction.
Once Tiger-Lily has fully recovered, she will resume her journey, traveling to the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City as part of her statewide tour of department sites. Her current residence at the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center near Branson, Missouri, is temporarily closed for construction.
Expressing gratitude for Tiger-Lily’s care and wishing her a speedy recovery, Baker emphasized the importance of providing the necessary support for their “two-headed gal.”
(Note: Reported by Natalie Neysa Alund, this article originally appeared on USA TODAY)
(el Amigo/MNM)