Final answer:
The mythological character, a child of Apollo, who received vital information from snakes was named Glycon. Alexander of Abonuteichos used Glycon as an oracle to answer people's questions while concealing the snake's real head.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mythological character, a child of Apollo, who received vital information from snakes was named Glycon.
According to historical accounts, a religious entrepreneur named Alexander of Abonuteichos set up an oracle in his hometown and used a snake god named Glycon to provide answers to people's questions.
Alexander would conceal the snake's real head and answer the questions while holding its body in his arms.
The cult of Glycon continued for about a century after Alexander's time.