Monday, February 03, 2003

From “Life Is Confusing For

From “Life Is Confusing For Two-Headed Snakes,” by Hillary Mayell for National Geographic News

“In some snake species...the male rubs its chin against the female dorsum during courtship. As this particular snake has two heads—which may have different ideas about courting and mating—and two chins, it would be nice to find out how the two heads manage the deal and also to find out what the female’s response is.”

Nice?  No, I don’t think “nice” is the word you’re looking for.  There are a lot of words that might be applied to the deliberations among and between the heads, depending in large part on “what the female’s response is.” These words include, but are not limited to, “climactic,” “frustrating,” and “amusing.” But not “nice.” I speak from personal experience.