Rare Diamondback Turtle Born With 2 Heads And 6 Legs

A rare two-headed diamondback terrapin turtle with six legs was born at the Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center in Massachusetts, US

In Massachusetts, US there is a wildlife hospital named as New England Wildlife Center (NEWC). Under the hospital there is a Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center. Two weeks back, a rare two-headed diamondback terrapin turtle with six legs was born at the Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center. You may have seen conjoined human twins where they share some parts of the body, but also have other parts that are independent. Similarly, this turtle also has some parts that are joined and some independent. On the NEWC's Facebook page, it explained that having two heads is rare. It can occur from both genetic and environmental factors.

Both the sides of the turtle were very active and the veterinary team was eager to learn more about them. 

The turtle has two spines that fuse together at one point. Each head of the turtle controls three legs. Whenever the head wants to breathe, that head comes up. Isn’t that cool! The center said that they are eating, swimming, and gaining weight each day. It appears that they work together. The center’s staff said that such animals with two heads don't always survive. But they are positive about thes turtles. The centre will monitor the young turtle to make sure they have control of their legs and can coordinate swimming to breathe properly. After four weeks, it plans to carry out a CT scan to check deeper into how the turtles’ brains really operate.

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