Snake Baby is the result of a genetic mutation caused by harlequin ichthyosis.

For some inexplicable reason, a human gene can mutate, resulting in the birth of what is known as “baby snake.” The mutation will cause a skin disease called harlequin ichthyosis that would lead to a severe deformation of the fetus’s physical characteristics due to the fissure of the skin that actually resembles the scales of a snake.

At birth, the child may be in too much pain as the cracking of the skin includes wounds and bleeding. The eyes are bulging and reddish in color making them look like the eyes of the “aliens” you see in the movies. Apart from that, they are also bleeding. The nose may be absent leaving only two holes where it should be. The same thing happens with the ears. The mouth is rounded and large enough to be called “normal” for a newborn baby; it also resembles the mouth of a snake.

The worst thing is that the newborn child has only one or two days to live. A severe bacterial infection is likely to be the cause of sudden death or failure of the respiratory system. There are complications in the internal organs of the baby that make it difficult for him to live.

The first reported incident dates back to 1750 when a reverend in Charlestown, South Carolina was called to bless or anoint a dying child. Thereafter, he made a confession that he had witnessed a pitiful creature in need of medical help and contributed a small amount to help the family.

While it was difficult for medical science to treat the said disease due to lack of research and facilities, the same case occurred in 1984 when a woman gave birth to another harlequin child. Through the intervention of science, the girl survived making her the oldest of all the survivors of the harlequin disease: she is now 26 years old.

Although others are skeptical about it, there are documentaries that can prove that there were harlequin births. In fact, the reported cases can go up to 400 cases of harlequin births, however, only a few survived longer and only one survivor makes it to the age of 26 and is still alive.

Harlequin Ichthyosis is not just a disease; it is a mutation of human genes. Therefore, ethnicity and age have nothing to do with it and anyone can have it. Although there are modern facilities to help doctors recognize a disease like this, the thought of giving birth to a pitiful baby scares every mother.