FRANKFORT, Ky. (WDRB) -- It’s a common joke that Frankfort is full of nothing but two-faced snakes. But at the Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, it is no joke. The department has put a rare find on display: a two-headed copperhead.
Heather Teachey, the director of Kentucky’s Salato Wildlife Education Center said she was stunned when she first heard about the discovery.
“I think I said, 'You have a what now?'” Teachey told reporters.
Teachey said she had never seen a two-headed copperhead. “We've all been kind of fawning over him,” she said. “We're really hoping that he thrives here.”
The snake was found by a Leslie Co. couple in their back yard. They decided it needed to be shared, and turned it over to the state.
“I have seen thousands of copperheads in my life, and I've never seen one with two heads,” said state herpetologist John MacGregor.
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Both heads are fully functional, though Teachey said the left side appears be more dominant.
“He does definitely have an internal dialogue going on of which head is going to get its way,” she said. “And he does tend to go in circles a lot.”
So, he should fit right in at the State Capitol. The snake would not survive long in the wild, but is eating well, and could have a long life at the Salato Center.
“This snake could live 10, 12, 15 years,” said MacGregor.
It will be on display for the public to see. Shelby County residents Lynette Inferrera and son, Trey, were the first to get a look.
“It’s really crazy, and you would rarely even see one,” Trey told WDRB News.
Since the snake is only a month old with obvious complications, he will not be on display full time.
“His well-being is our utmost concern. So, if he appears to be unstable or if he's stressing out, we will take him off of exhibit,” said Teachey.
The department does not officially name its animals, but the couple that discovered the snake gave him one – Double Trouble.
The Salato Wildlife Education Center is open 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday, Monday, and state holidays. Admission is charged for visitors ages 5 and older.
It is located at 1 Sportsman’s Lane, Frankfort, Ky. 40601.
Visitors can confirm if the snake is available for viewing on the day of their visit by calling 1-800-858-1549.
The Salato Center will be closed for the winter after Nov. 21.
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