No, you are not seeing double. These two turtles were born united by the same body and two heads. It was at a wildlife center in Massachusetts (USA). Despite this rarity, diamondback turtle hatchlings ( Malaclemys terrapin ) are "very alert" and "active," according to a recent Facebook post from the Cape Cod branch of the New England Wildlife Center.
What is this birth due to?
Genetic or environmental factors that influence embryos as they develop can cause the condition known as bicephaly, or having two heads, as in this case . Live animals with bicephaly are extremely rare because many fail to thrive , although conservationists are quite optimistic about these sisters.
The wildlife center has been caring for them for over two weeks and they are still quite active.
Based on expert X-ray analysis, it appears that they have two fused spines in the body and each turtle has three-legged control. Also, one of the gastrointestinal tracts appears a bit more developed than the other, but both turtles eat and digest food normally. The two walk and swim as if they are working in unison to move around the environment.
