Six years ago, a family in southwest Missouri stumbled across a two-headed snake. They named her Tiger-Lily and donated her to the Shepherd of the Hills Conservation Center in Branson, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation.
And while the western ratsnake would have struggled to survive in the wild, Tiger-Lily has continued to grow in captivity. She’s almost 5 feet long, having grown about a foot in two years. And that could be because she really likes to eat. But feeding time isn’t easy, officials said. “Both heads want to eat, but they only have one esophagus,” Interpretive Center Manager Alison Bleich said in the release. “We put a small cup over one head while the other eats, then switch. Otherwise, both would be trying to grab the same mouse.” Those who want to meet this rare reptile can do so at her upcoming birthday party. The Missouri Department of Conservation is hosting her sixth birthday from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 7 at the Scenic Overlook at the Ruth & Paul Henning Conservation Area in Branson. No registration is necessary. Y'all come.