September 17, 2005

An Angelo State University professor made an exciting discovery when he encountered a two-headed western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) during a class field trip.  Chris  McAllister found the young snake on a ranch in the Christoval, Texas, area.  While dicephalism (having two head) occurs more frequently with rat and kingsnakes, it is rare in rattlesnakes.

"There are 40 previously reported cases of decephalic rattlesnakes of the genus Crotalus," McAllister said,"including C. adamanteua, C. atrox, C. basiliscus, C. durissus, C. horridus, C. oreganus, C. scutulatus and C. viridis.  As far as western diamondback rattlesnakes, 11 have been previously reported, and this is the fourth reported case in C. atrox from Texas."

The cause of the snake's dicephalism is unknown, but inbreeding, temperature anomalies and environmental toxins were cited as possible sources. 

(Kara Sutton-Jones-Reptiles Magazine)