Ananova:

Scientists in China say they have uncovered the 145 million year old fossil of a two headed 'dragon'.

The creature was not a fire-breathing monster but a deformed baby lizard, reports the Daily Mail.

Researchers say it had two distinct heads and necks and is believed to be the earliest example of a creature developing in such a way.

Scientists think it belonged to an ancient family of now-extinct reptiles that grew up to three feet long.

However the fossil is less than three inches long because it probably died shortly before or just after it was born.

The fossil comes from the choristodera family of reptiles which evolved crocodile-like characteristics.

Such mutations occur among reptiles when the layer of cells from which an embryo develops splits incorrectly but this is the oldest one ever discovered.

Lead researcher Dr Eric Buffetaut from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Paris, said: "This two headed reptile seems to be unique in the fossil record."