Report of a dicephalic steppes ratsnake (Elaphe dione) collected in South Korea

Abstract

Dicephalism, an individual having two heads, is a type of malformation that occurs in less than 0.5% of vertebrates (Singhal et al., 2006). Although dicephalism has been reported in many different animal taxa, reports are more frequent in reptiles (Heasman, 1933; Blanc, 1979; De Albuquerque et al., 2010, 2013). Dicephalism has been reported in eight families of snakes and three families of lizards (Wallach, 2007; Spadola and Insacco, 2009). Based on Wallach’s review (2007), 101 dicephalic cases are known in Asia, but reports in the scientific literature containing detailed morphological descriptions are very rare (Bakken and Bakken, 1987; Petch, 1990). The Steppes Ratsnake (Elaphe dione) is widely distributed, as far west to Europe and east to China, Korea, and Russia. E. dione can be found in various habitats including agriculture and forest areas, from latitude of sea level up to approximately 3500 m (Kang and Yoon, 1975; Schulz, 1996). In general, the total length, including the tail, of adult snakes ranges from Report of a Dicephalic Steppes Ratsnake (Elaphe dione) Collected in South Korea