Rare snake with two heads, four eyes rescued in Gujarat: What is it?

A rare two-headed wolf snake was rescued from a farm in Gujarat's Dahod district. The sighting has drawn attention to bicephaly, a rare developmental abnormality that can hinder survival in the wild.The two heads have separate eyes and are believed to have their own brain. (Photo: X/@DixitGujarat)New Delhi,Oct 6, 2026 12:47 ISTA rare and unusual snake with two heads and four eyes has been rescued from a farm in Gujarat’s Dahod district, leaving locals and wildlife enthusiasts fascinated.The approximately 6-inch-long snake was found in a field in Agaswani village in Dhanpur taluka, according to a report in Sandesh.After receiving information from local residents, members of the Dahod Prakruti Mitra Mandal reached the spot and safely rescued the animal.RARE TWO-HEADED SNAKE RESCUED IN GUJARAT A rare two-headed Wolf Snake has been rescued in Dahod’s Dhanpur range in what has been reported as the first such case in Gujarat. The condition known as bicephaly is a rare developmental abnormality in which two heads develop on a single body. Both heads function independently. The non-venomous snake is reportedly the fifth such case documented in India. Visuals From The Rescue #Gujarat #Dahod #Snake— contentkikamii (@contentkikamii) October 6, 2026The snake has been identified as a wolf snake, a non-venomous species that is generally considered harmless to humans. What makes this particular snake extraordinary is a rare developmental condition known as bicephaly, in which an animal develops two heads on a single body. Two-headed animals are generally considered rare congenital/developmental abnormalities. They can occur in mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish, but reports are sporadic.The condition usually develops during embryonic development and is broadly related to incomplete separation of two developing embryos or abnormal patterning of the embryo. Bicephaly is described in the scientific literature as the most frequently reported major malformation in snakes, although that does not mean it is common among snakes generally.In this case, the two heads have separate eyes and are believed to have their own brain and nervous-system structures, although the exact degree of independence between the two heads can vary.According to the Prakruti Mitra Mandal, the discovery is reportedly the first such case recorded in Gujarat.The group, reportedly, claims that only a handful of similar cases involving two-headed snakes have been documented in India, including two cobras and three wolf snakes.Bicephaly is a form of polycephaly, a developmental abnormality that occurs when an embryo does not completely separate during development. While such abnormalities are extremely rare, they have been documented in snakes, turtles and other animals.The condition can create significant challenges for the animal. Two heads may respond independently to movement, food or threats, potentially leading to conflicting actions. This can make survival in the wild difficult.The rescued snake is estimated to be around one year old, according to local wildlife rescuers. The team is now taking steps to ensure its safety and appropriate care.The discovery has also highlighted how much biological variation can occasionally emerge in nature.- Ends