Tiger-Lily, a⁢ unique two-headed Western rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus), has been residing⁣ at the Missouri Division of Conservation’s (MDC) Powder Valley Nature ⁣Heart⁤ in ⁢Kirkwood while her home ⁣at the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center undergoes renovations. ⁣However, she will now remain at the MDC⁣ for⁢ a period ⁣of recovery after undergoing surgery to remove her ovaries.

MDC Naturalist Lauren Baker noticed traces⁢ of blood⁤ during Tiger-Lily’s feeding last week⁣ and promptly scheduled an appointment ⁤with veterinarians at ⁣the St.⁣ Louis Zoo. ⁢It was discovered that Tiger-Lily’s ovaries were in pre-ovulatory stasis and needed to be removed.

“Under normal circumstances, the ovary ⁢would produce follicles and ovulate them ​as eggs, which would eventually be laid. However, in ⁤Tiger-Lily’s case, the follicles did not⁢ ovulate and instead continued to grow, leading to inflammation​ and ⁣the⁢ risk⁣ of infection,” explained Dr. Michael Warshaw, Staff Veterinarian at the ⁤Saint Louis ⁣Zoo, in a press release issued by the Missouri Division of Conservation.

Two-Headed Western Rat ‍Snake Makes ‌Temporary Debut at Missouri’s Powder Valley Nature Center

Rat Snakes​ of America

Tiger-Lily underwent a successful surgery on March 11 and will not ‌be on ⁢display⁢ for the next month while she fully recovers. ⁤Once she is ready, she will⁣ travel to MDC’s Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City and, barring any further health issues, will continue on a tour of MDC sites. Her home at the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center ⁤is ⁢still under construction.

“We ​are grateful for the quick​ response and expert ‍treatment provided by the ⁢Saint Louis Zoo. We ​are all‌ hoping for ‌a safe and speedy recovery⁣ for our two-headed⁤ gal,” ​said Baker.

“The Saint Louis Zoo⁤ and MDC⁤ have a longstanding partnership‌ in ⁤caring for Missouri’s native wildlife, and we are pleased to have played a role in the care of this exceptional‍ animal,” ⁤stated Dr. Chris Hanley, Director of Animal Health at the⁢ Saint⁢ Louis Zoo.

Tiger-Lily was found⁢ in the wild by a family in southwest Missouri about six years ago. The family‍ named the snake and then ‌brought her to the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center, according to ‍the Missouri Division of Conservation. In the six ‍years since, the snake has grown to nearly ​five feet⁤ in length and‌ has a healthy appetite. However, due to having only one ‌esophagus, ⁢the caretakers must cover one head with⁣ a cup while the⁤ other ‍head eats, and then switch and feed the other head.

Western Rat Snake Facts

The ​Western ‍rat⁢ snake, also known as the ⁢black ⁢rat snake, is native‍ to central North America west of the Mississippi ⁢River. They are diurnal and can be found in a‌ variety ‍of habitats, including prairies, rock outcrops, wooded areas, and bayous. They can grow up to ⁤six‌ feet in length and are commonly bred ‍in​ captivity, with​ a lifespan of over 15 years.

Two-Headed Snake Facts

Two-headed snakes are rare but not uncommon. They‌ are said to have a ⁣shortened⁣ lifespan in the ‌wild due‌ to‍ the challenges of having two heads, which can hinder their defenses⁣ against predators. Cases of captive-born two-headed snakes occur almost ⁤every ​year. ‌They are undoubtedly fascinating creatures. Actor Nicolas Cage reportedly purchased a two-headed gopher snake for $80,000, which he named after the Batman‍ villain Harvey Dent, also known as Two-Face. In 2008, he donated the snake to the Audubon⁢ Zoo in New Orleans,‌ where it lived until the age of 14.

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