Two-headed snake up for auction
A rare two-headed albino rat snake is being auctioned on eBay for $150,000 (£87,000) by an American aquarium.
The World Aquarium in St Louis has been home to the unique reptile, named "We", for the past six years.
Aquarium president Leonard Sonnenschein said he expects the snake to generate the same level of demand as a priceless work of art.
We is being sold to pay for education, conservation and research programmes.
The aquarium purchased the snake for $15,000 (£8,700) when it was six-and-a-half years old, despite knowing that most two-headed snakes do not live for more than a few months.
"It's an amazing snake," Mr Sonnenschein told the Associated Press news agency. "When people see it they are awe-struck."
The snake is a healthy size for a rat snake, at 2.5cm (one inch) thick and 1.2m (four feet) long.
It is currently at the prime age for breeding and is expected to live for another 10 to 15 years.
It has survived for so long because both heads are connected to the same stomach, Mr Sonnenschein added.
We was almost sold in 2004, after it was stolen by a city museum worker. Fortunately, authorities found the snake in the man's garage at his home in Illinois.
Mr Sonnenschein said the man was intending to sell it.
"The thing is, it's the only one in the world."
BBC
I think "We was almost sold" or "We is being sold" is gramatically incorrect. The snake has two heads and therefore to minds and personalities. I should say "We are being sold" and "We were almost sold".
After all you don't refer as "he" or "she" to siamese twins.
A rare two-headed albino rat snake is being auctioned on eBay for $150,000 (£87,000) by an American aquarium.
The World Aquarium in St Louis has been home to the unique reptile, named "We", for the past six years.
Aquarium president Leonard Sonnenschein said he expects the snake to generate the same level of demand as a priceless work of art.
We is being sold to pay for education, conservation and research programmes.
The aquarium purchased the snake for $15,000 (£8,700) when it was six-and-a-half years old, despite knowing that most two-headed snakes do not live for more than a few months.
"It's an amazing snake," Mr Sonnenschein told the Associated Press news agency. "When people see it they are awe-struck."
The snake is a healthy size for a rat snake, at 2.5cm (one inch) thick and 1.2m (four feet) long.
It is currently at the prime age for breeding and is expected to live for another 10 to 15 years.
It has survived for so long because both heads are connected to the same stomach, Mr Sonnenschein added.
We was almost sold in 2004, after it was stolen by a city museum worker. Fortunately, authorities found the snake in the man's garage at his home in Illinois.
Mr Sonnenschein said the man was intending to sell it.
"The thing is, it's the only one in the world."
BBC
I think "We was almost sold" or "We is being sold" is gramatically incorrect. The snake has two heads and therefore to minds and personalities. I should say "We are being sold" and "We were almost sold".
After all you don't refer as "he" or "she" to siamese twins.
actually it's because the egg partially split after being fertilized. The reason that happens is because it's MOTHER is inbred.