While two-headed turtles seem to be more common than one might think -- who could forget "Teeny" and "Tiny" or the other two-headed turtle found in a backyard in Turkey -- this two-headed tortoise on display at the National Museum of Natural History in Kiev, Ukraine, is unique, the Los Angeles Times reports.
"Strictly speaking it isn't a tortoise with two heads, but rather two conjoined tortoises," zoologist Yuri Yuravliov told the Agence France-Presse, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The little guy actually has two hearts, six legs, and a shared single intestine, the article states.
Wales Online reports visitors will be able to observe the tortoise -- and the eating preferences of each head -- for the next two months.
Last year, Todd Ray, the owner of what may be the world's largest collection of two-headed animals was faced with a dilemma: He had to decide whether or not to have two turtles surgically separated in order to save their lives.
"It doesn't appear as if they're going to improve so I'm considering doing something I never have before: getting them surgically separated," Ray told HuffPost Weird News.
Despite veterinarians advising him that the turtles should be euthanized, Ray decided to try the surgery
"This is the very first time I have ever wanted to separate two animals," Ray told HuffPost. "I love animals as they are born and have struggled with the idea of separating animals that have been created together."
SOURCE
"Strictly speaking it isn't a tortoise with two heads, but rather two conjoined tortoises," zoologist Yuri Yuravliov told the Agence France-Presse, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The little guy actually has two hearts, six legs, and a shared single intestine, the article states.
Wales Online reports visitors will be able to observe the tortoise -- and the eating preferences of each head -- for the next two months.
Last year, Todd Ray, the owner of what may be the world's largest collection of two-headed animals was faced with a dilemma: He had to decide whether or not to have two turtles surgically separated in order to save their lives.
"It doesn't appear as if they're going to improve so I'm considering doing something I never have before: getting them surgically separated," Ray told HuffPost Weird News.
Despite veterinarians advising him that the turtles should be euthanized, Ray decided to try the surgery
"This is the very first time I have ever wanted to separate two animals," Ray told HuffPost. "I love animals as they are born and have struggled with the idea of separating animals that have been created together."
SOURCE
Pure once, hope they are well and healthy. Take god care of them! <3
Leave them be.
May St. Francis bless them!!!!