A two headed serpent with glowing eyes. One head occurs in the normal position while the other is at the end of its tail. It can slither in either direction or it can form a hoop and roll.

Unlike other snakes it is well adjusted to the cold and can use its eyes as lamps to see in the dark. It lays eggs and the heads take turns guarding them.

It's sometimes depicted with horns or ears on each head, with eagle legs, with wings, and as a dragon with a head at the end of its tail.

If bitten, you will suffer wounds that never heal and then you will die, or the bite will result in something similar to the sting of a flea.

According to Pliny, coriander taken in a drink is a remedy for the bite of an Amphisbaena. He also recommends using the skin of the serpent to cure a fever, and warns pregnant women of miscarriage should they step over one, however carrying a live one will prevent miscarriage.

Other medicinal qualities include the ability to cure chilblains, and rheumatism.

It's name means "to go both ways."

Also known as Amphista, Amphivena, Amphisbena, and Amphisbæna.

See Also: Creatures by Type » Serpents

References

Matthews, John & Matthews, Caitlin. The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures. New York: Sterling, 2005.

Pliny, & Bostock, John, & Riley, Henry Thomas. The Natural History of Pliny. London: George Bell and Sons, 1890.

Rose, Carol. Giants, Monsters, and Dragons. New York: Norton, 2001.

White, T.H. The Book of Beasts. Madison, Wisconsin: Parallel Press, 2002.