Multi-headed snake’s skin draws crowds in Kanakapura #Karnataka https://t.co/suXh4eGHhl — TOI Bengaluru (@TOIBengaluru) 1570677152000

Experts not enthused

BENGALURU: Marigowdana Doddi, a village in Kanakapura located about 60km from Bengaluru city, has become a centre of attraction since Wednesday morning. This, after villagers here stumbled upon a skin which they believe is of a seven-headed serpent. The fact that it was found next to a temple has further raised curiosity among the locals, who believe the ‘mythological’ serpent might be existing in reality.As the news of a multi-headed snake started spreading through television channels and social media, hundreds of people from other villages in the taluk thronged the area to have a glimpse of the discarded skin. Many even offered kumkum and haldi around it.Villager Prashanth MN said a similar skin was discovered about six months ago. “Villagers thought the place has special powers and built a temple here. Now, the snake skin has appeared near the temple itself. A temple staffer, who was cleaning the premises in the morning, spotted the skin in the field of a villager named Balappa. The filed is located just about 10ft from the temple premises,” he added.Snake experts, however, dismissed the existence of any such snake. Ramu P, an expert said nowhere in the world is there any record of a seven-headed snake. “There are two-headed snakes, but they too are very rare. Just like conjoined twins among humans, some snakes will have two heads,” he added.The skin-shedding process in reptiles is called ecdysis. Snakes shed their skin to get rid of parasites that may have grown on the old skin. The process also helps in their growth. Typically, snakes shed their skin every three weeks to two months.