Two heads, one tiny body: Rare gecko captures hearts online
Fans are following Simon and Garfunkel’s progress after the rare reptile hatched in Pennsylvania.
A tiny gecko in northeastern Pennsylvania hatched with polycephaly, a condition in which a single body develops with two heads.
One little lizard has recently gained widespread attention online for its rare condition: two heads.
The two-headed lizard, named Simon and Garfunkel, hatched just over six weeks ago at Rockstar Geckos, a crested gecko breeding business in northeastern Pennsylvania. The gecko has since become popular on social media, with fans rooting for the extraordinary gecko's survival.
“This little one was a surprise!” the company wrote in an Instagram post on June 29. “We've only had this happen once before in all our years hatching babies. Unfortunately they don't often live that long, but we will do our best.”
Simon and Garfunkel, a rare two-headed gecko, was born just over six weeks ago at Rockstar Geckos in northeastern Pennsylvania. (Credit: @rockstargeckos via Instagram)
Since Simon and Garfunkel hatched, Rockstar Geckos has continued to post updates to inform fans of the gecko’s health and progress. The gecko is active, curious and healthy and has even been able to shed independently on occasion.
“Huge thank you to everyone who keeps checking on them,” Rockstar Geckos wrote in a three-week update. “Your support means the world.”
Per the most recent update on Aug. 3, the gecko weighs less than a dime at 1.8 grams, which is extremely small compared to its 3.4-gram clutchmate. The company attributes the difference to Simon and Garfunkel’s difficulty hunting and eating bugs but says it will keep trying to introduce bugs, since they are a necessary part of the gecko’s diet. However, the gecko has been eating well and independently.
“We offer our geckos plenty of bugs along with their pudding, and it makes a real difference in body condition and growth,” Rockstar Geckos explained. “Supplementing with bug powders just doesn’t cut it, unfortunately.”
The company added that Simon and Garfunkel have not been fighting, since the position of their heads doesn’t allow them to reach or bite each other. Neither head has established dominance.
Simon and Garfunkel have polycephaly, a condition in which an animal is born with more than one head. (Credit: @rockstargeckos via Instagram)
The condition of having more than one head is referred to as polycephaly. Most two-headed creatures result from “axial bifurcation,” which means the embryo did not finish splitting into twins, National Geographic explains. Polycephaly has been seen in many animals, including bull sharks, turtles and humans.
While bicephalic (two-headed) animals rarely survive, National Geographic notes that reptiles seem to have more success. Many creatures that do survive birth later die from fighting over food or attacking themselves.
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