BERKELEY, Calif. — A rare two-headed California kingsnake that captivated visitors at a Berkeley pet store has died, just shy of its first birthday.
Nicknamed “Angel” and “Zeke,” the snake passed away a week ago, according to East Bay Vivarium, where it was born and raised. The unusual reptile was a one-in-100,000 genetic occurrence.
Store staff had cautiously hoped the snake would thrive despite its condition. The two heads shared a body but had a noticeable bump where the spine split, raising health concerns from the start.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, employees were especially worried that the less dominant head could pose a risk by choking if it attempted to eat.
Despite the challenges, Angel and Zeke grew to over 18 inches in length before their death.