Rare Two-Headed Turtle Hatchling Found on Cape Cod

You have to see it to believe it. A tiny two-headed turtle hatchling was recently observed in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Here is a look at this rare turtle, what causes its condition, and its prospects for surviving.

Two-headed Baby Turtle Discovered in Cape Cod

A rare two-headed turtle hatchling was found shortly after hatching in the middle of September. The small diamond terrapin turtle weighs less than five grams, equating to about the size of a nickel. The turtle was found during routine nest monitoring in Wellfleet. The Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary found the turtle and took it to the New England Wildlife Centers veterinary hospital.

The animal suffers from a condition known as bicephaly. While this condition is rare, it has been observed in several species. "By all accounts, the turtle is doing well; it has control of all of its limbs," Zak Mertz, CEO of New England Wildlife Centers, said. Mertz also explained that the turtle can swim on its own.

Although veterinarians were not sure if the turtle would be able to eat because of its condition, it recently had its first meal. These types of turtles do not generally eat their first meal until they are a few weeks old, when their yolk sac has been absorbed. "It was very exciting for us to see that both sides were taking a meal because it means that A, they're hungry, and B, it means things are functioning just as they should," Mertz said.

Mertz said that experts believe a bicephalic turtle happens in just one in every tens of thousands of births. However, Mertz noted that this is the third set of these rare turtles that the organization has seen over the last six years. Although bicephaly is exceedingly rare, the condition can be more common in reptiles. As Mertz explains, "It's definitely still rare. It's kind of like winning the lottery."

What Causes Bicephaly

There is not a lot that is known about the causes of bicephaly in turtles. Mertz said that the condition is believed to be mostly genetic; however, there could be a few environmental factors at play. There has not been a lot of research into the condition, but experts hope that they will learn more as they care for the turtle in Massachusetts.

Mertz said that these types of rare turtles mostly present with separate anatomy, but this particular turtle appears to share more of these features. "When we got the first set, we talked to a few other folks that had bicephalus turtles, not of the same species, but we heard stories of some of them living multiple decades," Mertz said.

New England Wildlife Centers is hopeful that because the quality of life is good, the turtle will be able to live a long and healthy life. Mertz said that the group will continue to monitor the turtle, caring for it through the winter months. There is a chance that the turtle could be released back into its natural habitat if it can prove that both heads are sustainable.  

Weather changes fast, so help your community stay prepared. Share this story with friends, family, or your group chat, and keep your forecast in the now with Weather Forecast Now.