Alleged Sighting Of A Two-Headed Alligator In Florida

Axial bifurcation is caused when monozygotic twins fail to separate completely. This results in polycephaly, having more than one head. While two-headed reptiles aren’t completely unheard of, it is rare that they would survive for any length of time without human intervention and care. Even then, survival isn’t guaranteed.

We introduced you to Medusa (see image below) a two-headed snake, back in April. Her feedings have to be carefully orchestrated, due to competition from one head to the next. Despite the fact that both heads didn’t really need to eat due to a shared digestive system, if both heads weren’t fed simultaneously, one would attack the other.

This inability focus on feeding is just one reason that polycephalic animals don’t fare very well in the wild. One body controlled by two independent brains also leads to animals that generally don’t move very well, which would be particularly problematic when trying to evade predators.

On Facebook, Arnold stated that this animal had been reported by several people to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), who gave a brief explanation for the cause of the condition. However, the FWC told a local Fox affiliate that they were skeptical of the photograph, though Patch reports that two trappers were sent to investigate.

The photograph has drawn in a fair amount of skepticism from commenters, as there are no tracks in the sand coming out from the water and the right limbs are hovering above the sand. While some are calling it a work of Photoshop, others suspect it may have been the product of creative taxidermy.

The biggest clue that this is alligator is likely a hoax is considering the source itself. Arnold also runs a blog on Tumblr dedicated to bizarre items being passed off as real items. One specimen includes a “very rare” trout sporting a thick fur coat, allegedly caught in Lake Michigan in the 1960s. The plaque reads: “It is believed that the great depth and extreme penetrating coldness of the water in which these fish live has caused them to grow their dense coat of fur.” As a Michigan native, I can attest that things get cold, but never so cold that fish defy evolution and begin looking like the lovechild of a trout and a Yeti.

Here are some photos of some actual two-headed animals:

Related Posts

A dog finds his forever home after spending 11 years at a shelter, and his smile says it all.

“We’re not daunted by the act of waiting; it’s the ᴜnргedісtаЬɩe duration of that wait that truly unnerves us. Today, let’s acquaint ourselves with Pitufo, an unnoticed…

Warm affection: An adopted dog’s genuine love shines through as he sheds tears during his first contact with his owner’s pup (Video)

In a heartwarming and adorable encounter, a frozen dog experienced an emotional moment when he was allowed to hold a newborn baby in his lap. The touching…

An Indian man’s daily dinner includes live lizards as a special dietary option (Video)

In a truly astonishing and unsettling turn of events, a man finds himself willingly harboring hundreds of geckos within his own body. Initially horrified by the idea,…

A distraught mother dog, helpless and unable to stand, lay there making desperate cries for help to protect her vulnerable puppies!!!

In a heart-wrenching tale that showcases the resilience and compassion of the human spirit, we delve into the story of a stray dog who embarked on a…

Dog celebrates first birthday with tears of joy in 15 years

The aging dog had been a loyal and loving companion to its owner for a remarkable 15 years, so when the owner decided to celebrate its birthday,…

The warmth of the baby is protected in sleep by devoted dogs and the cuteness creates beautiful memories

While dogs are known for their affection and loyalty, have you ever witnessed one becoming a caregiver to a young human? In a touching video, two delightful…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *