Two-headed baby turtle discovered on Cape Cod

A rare two-headed diamondback terrapin hatchling was discovered at a protected nesting site on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The tiny turtle, which weighs approximately as much as a nickel, is currently being cared for and monitored by the Cape Wildlife Center.

The condition, known as bicephaly, occurs when an animal is born with two functioning heads on a single body. This is typically caused by the incomplete splitting of a single embryo during the formation of identical twins. Experts at the Cape Wildlife Center noted that they have only encountered two other bicephalic cases in the last five years, describing the event as ‘especially rare.’

Zak Mertz, CEO of New England Wildlife Centers, stated that the condition is caused by both genetic and epigenetic factors and represents a fascinating area for anatomical and physiological study. The hatchling was brought to the center by the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.