PRINCE RANDIAN

Prince Randian, also known as the “Human Caterpillar”, was a sideshow performer in the early 1900’s who was born with a congenital syndrome that left him without limbs.

Despite this syndrome, he proved throughout his life that he was capable of his own self -care, mental agility, and the completion of everyday tasks.

Not much is known about his early life.

He was born into an enslaved family in October of 1871 in Demerara, British Guyana, a former British colony in South America.

With two otherwise normal parents, he was born with the autosomal recessive disorder, Tetra -amelia syndrome, which is the absence of all four limbs (arms and legs).

Those with the disease often develop severe medical abnormalities involving the skull and lungs that can cause stillbirth and death immediately after birth.

It is caused by a mutation in the WNT3 gene which produces the proteins that regulate healthy development of the limbs and body.

Going by the name “Prince Randian”, he became a star in the United States as crowds flocked to see him perform tasks such as rolling and lighting a cigarette, shaving, painting, and writing-all with the use of his mouth.

He can be seen in the 1932 MGM film “Freaks” rolling, lighting, and smoking a cigarette, though he was only featured for less than a minute.

He traveled around the country to museums, dime-shows, carnivals, and variety shows showcasing his abilities.

He was mostly seen in a wool garment meant to make him look like a caterpillar, as he would writhe in a worm-like way to move around.