Officials from the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reported that Tiger-Lily, a rare two-headed western rat snake, underwent surgery after sneezing blood. Tiger-Lily, under the care of the MDC Powder Valley Nature Center, will have her stay extended for recovery, as confirmed by officials.
Saving Tiger-Lily: Intervention, Surgery, and Recovery at the Saint Louis Zoo
Upon observing Tiger-Lily's alarming symptom of sneezing blood, the veterinary team at the Saint Louis Zoo quickly intervened to assess her condition. They determined that Tiger-Lily was suffering from pre-ovulatory stasis, a typical affliction in reptiles where ovarian follicles fail to ovulate, resulting in potential inflammation and infection.
Michael Warshaw, a staff veterinarian, elucidated that this condition occurs when follicles within the ovary become stagnant instead of progressing through the reproductive cycle as intended.
To address Tiger-Lily's health issue, surgeons at the Saint Louis Zoo Endangered Species Research Center and Veterinary Hospital performed a successful procedure to remove her abnormal ovaries. This operation aimed to alleviate her discomfort and prevent further complications.
Fortunately, the surgery went smoothly, with Tiger-Lily responding well to the treatment. The diligent care provided by the zoo's medical team ensured Tiger-Lily's swift recovery and improved well-being.
In the aftermath of the surgery, Tiger-Lily is now recuperating away from public view at the Saint Louis Zoo, where she is receiving attentive post-operative care.
Officials anticipate that her recovery period will span approximately a month, during which she will remain under close supervision to monitor her progress. This period of rest and rehabilitation is crucial for Tiger-Lily to regain her strength and vitality after undergoing such a significant medical procedure.
Following her recovery, Tiger-Lily is scheduled to resume her tour at various MDC sites, including the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City. This ongoing journey allows Tiger-Lily to continue captivating and educating visitors about the marvels of nature.
The collaboration between the Saint Louis Zoo and the MDC exemplifies their shared commitment to wildlife conservation and the well-being of unique creatures like Tiger-Lily.
Bicephalic Snake Tiger-Lily: A Rare Phenomenon Explored
Tiger-Lily, discovered by a family in Stone County, Missouri in 2017, is a rare bicephalic snake, as confirmed by the Saint Louis Zoo. Bicephaly, or having two heads, results from incomplete separation of conjoined twins, a phenomenon seen across species. While such anomalies are more common in reptiles due to less stringent embryonic checks, they rarely survive in the wild without specialized care.
The unusual condition, seen in both animals and humans, is attributed to genetic or environmental factors affecting embryo development. Unlike mammals, reptiles have higher offspring numbers and environmental exposure during egg incubation, increasing the likelihood of anomalies. In captivity, where breeding and survival support are provided, such irregularities may be more common.
Typically, animals with such abnormalities struggle to survive long-term due to difficulties in predation evasion and feeding. Tiger-Lily's departure from the MDC Powder Valley Nature Center was postponed due to her medical needs. After recovering at the Saint Louis Zoo, she will continue her journey to the MDC's Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center in Kansas City.
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