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Amphisbaena

A tail-eating snake

The Amphisbaena has its origins in Greek mythology and is a double-headed ant-eating serpent. It has the legs of a chicken and the wings of an eagle. Amphisbaena closely translates to “goes both ways." This is the part where we put in a joke. I dunno, maybe one about Lady GaGa or something. Anyway.

The Amphisbaena has one lucky head and one very unlucky head, as they are both on opposite ends. This could lead to problems; say you’re a doctor: which head do you offer the chew tablet and where do you stick the suppository? The Amphisbaena has two sets of glowing yellow eyes and green scales, just as its "mother,” Medusa, had.

Amphisbaena spawned from Medusa’s blood drippings as Perseus flew over the Libyan desert, carrying the gorgon’s head. Lil’ Amphisbaena grew and flourished, both heads dining on scrumptious ants and the occasional corpse.

This dual-headed phenomenon is particularly common in snakes and many believed that these creatures had aphrodisiac or healing powers. Pregnant women would pay a pretty penny for a live amphisbaena to wear around their necks to ensure a safe pregnancy, though one would think a snake with two heads would be twice as dangerous/ominous as a snake with one head, especially if when you’re wearing it ‘round the jugular.

So remember: if you’re pregnant and you see a snake with two noggins, it’s your lucky day! You’ve just found yourself a new scarf!

[1]

Sources

[1] "By the Gods"





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