In 2006, a research printed within the journal Biology Letters described a fossil not like any ever seen earlier than. It captured a prehistoric reptile that lived round 125 million years in the past. That, in itself, wasn’t terribly shocking, however the truth that it had two heads actually, actually was.
Bicephalism describes a quirk in animal improvement that leads to a person with two heads. We’ve seen outstanding examples of it in wild animals, corresponding to this southern black racer snake that was discovered to have unbiased brains that disagreed with one another.
To assume simply how uncommon bicephalism is on this planet as we speak, mixed with the truth that fossilisation is extremely uncommon, this fossil is actually distinctive.
Dr Dean Lomax
As we all know, fossilization is a remedy solely granted to a choose few of the animals which have ever lived on Earth. You’ve bought to die in simply the appropriate approach to turn out to be fossil, which means the animals we retrieve from the rock as we speak symbolize solely a snapshot of their ecosystem.
It’s uncommon, then, to finish up being a gorgeously preserved fossil. Even rarer nonetheless to turn out to be one which captures a physiological quirk like bicephalism.
This bicephalic tortoise was referred to as “Janus”.
Palaeontologist, creator, and science communicator Dr Dean Lomax was significantly taken with the fossil, which he explains in his new e book The Secret Lives Of Dinosaurs is a prehistoric reptile known as Hyphalosaurus lingyuanensis. So taken by it, in reality, that it turned the duvet star of that e book (catch a “Large T. rex Penis” snippet of it in our September problem of CURIOUS). So, we requested him the way it felt laying eyes on it for the primary time.
“In a single phrase, mesmerised,” stated Lomax. “I’ve seen a residing two-headed snake earlier than, and am absolutely conscious of different, typically uncommon examples of bicephalous animals, however having an precise fossil is subsequent degree.”
“It’s extraordinary. To assume simply how uncommon bicephalism is on this planet as we speak, mixed with the truth that fossilisation is extremely uncommon, this fossil is actually distinctive.”
The hyphalosaur was retrieved from Early Cretaceous rock within the Jehol Biota fossil beds of Liaoning Province, China, that’s estimated to be between 120- to 125-million-years-old (and you’ll see photographs of it right here). The area is legendary for churning out remarkably preserved specimens, some full with feathers and comfortable tissues, however a two-headed reptile actually takes the biscuit.
Unimaginable to think about this lil’ man scampering round 125 million years in the past.
Picture courtesy of Bob Nicholls
Should you’re scoffing at this apparent “pretend”, it could curiosity you to know that its authenticity has already been questioned and investigated, and to this point, no person’s discovered any proof to recommend it isn’t actual. The mineralized stays clearly present two heads and two necks which might be connected to the physique.
If I actually needed to slender it down, I’d need to go for one thing cliché like a Tyrannosaurus or a Spinosaurus, as a result of the 2 large heads would look unbelievable.
Dr Dean Lomax
As for the destiny of our very particular hyphalosaur? It’s attainable that it lived for a short time earlier than its dying and subsequent fossilization, because it was about 7 centimeters (2.8 inches) lengthy and wasn’t discovered close to an grownup.
So, it simply goes to indicate that though beautiful fossilization is uncommon, it does occur, and generally it captures some actually outstanding animals. It’s additionally attainable, then, that we may discover extra two-headed animals within the fossil report, which bought us questioning: Should you may select any dinosaur to see with two heads, what would it not be?
“Oooooh, that may be a query!” stated Lomax. “There are simply so many selections. If I actually needed to slender it down, I’d need to go for one thing cliché like a Tyrannosaurus or a Spinosaurus, as a result of the 2 large heads would look unbelievable (in fact, in the event that they reached maturity!).”
“Nevertheless, a part of me additionally ponders what one thing like Diplodocus or Brachiosaurus may seem like with two heads. Would they develop to the identical size, I’m wondering. Given the large, intimidating dimension of those dinosaurs generally, seeing one with two heads could be fairly terrifying.”
The Secret Lives Of Dinosaurs is printed by Columbia College Press and is on the market now.
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