Cape Cod: Two-headed turtle hatchling discovered

A newborn turtle with two heads, a rare condition known as bicephaly, was discovered at a protected nesting site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The turtle, a species of Malaclemys terrapin, was identified by volunteers from the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and transferred to the Cape Wildlife Center on September 17.

Weighing approximately 4.89 grams at the time of arrival, the hatchling has shown encouraging signs of health, including swimming, eating, and responding to stimuli. However, specialists are still working to understand its internal anatomy. Bicephaly occurs during early embryonic development when an embryo begins to split, similar to the formation of twins, but the separation is incomplete.

Veterinarians plan to use X-rays and CT scans once the turtle is larger to determine how much the two heads share internal organs and anatomical structures. Caretakers have noted behavioral differences, with Zach Mertz, CEO of New England Wildlife Centers, observing that the left head appears to have a ‘greater personality.’ This marks the third two-headed turtle of this species to arrive at the Cape Wildlife Center within the last six years.