2 Headed Tortoise!

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PATMAN

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Some of you may have already seen this amazing hatchling but I wanted to share it with those who haven't. Aquatic 2 headed turtles are fairly common, but 2 headed tortoises are almost unheard of with only a few in the world.

This Macedonian Mountain Hermanns tortoise hatchling was produced by a private North American breeder. He states: "I have a young 1.4 colony in their second year of breeding. I was shocked on Valentines Day this year when I had twins hatch from a single egg. But not as much as on Nov 10th 2008 when a 2 headed baby hatched from the same colony. I can't imagine what is next. Now over a month later, it is still doing fine and eating with both heads at the same time. It is not for sale at this time".

Some may think this tortoise should be put down because of it's birth defect, but I hope this "special" tortoise continues to thrive and grows into adulthood. After all, it doesn't know it's any different, it just knows it's a tortoise!

I would like to thank the breeder who gave me permission to use his photographs.

2headedhermanns.jpg


2headedhermanns2jpg.jpg


2HeadedMacedonianMountainHermanns.jpg
 

Clementine_3

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What a cuties! What a cutey? lol. As long as it seems to be eating and doesn't have any major complications it may be just fine, no? Thanks for sharing him/it/them :)
 

drgnfly2265

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Wow, very interesting, thank you for sharing. I hope that it/they have a wonderful tortoise life :)

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Jamie

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Tim/Robin

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It is a very interesting thing. As Pat stated, certain reptiles (and most amphibians) are prone to congenital defects such as having 2 heads. Both reptiles and amphibians are susceptible to teratogens in their environment. While I've no idea who the breeder of the tortoise is, and I'm certainly NOT implying poor keeping by that person, congenital defects are something to "oooo...ahhh" at but also reason to take a second look at the environment.

Many things (such as tick treatments, pesticides, herbicides like Round-up, UVB exposure during development (read global warming here)) are known teratogens to reptiles/amphibians. When an adult is exposed it can result in congenital defects in their young such as extra limbs/heads, sometimes something incompatible with living. This finding can be used as an indicator of the contamination of the environment.

While seeing an unusual thing like a 2-headed tortoise is interesting, it would make me step back and double-check everything I'm doing or see if cross-contamination may be occuring that I wasn't aware of.
 

Crazy1

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I'm with you Patrick, I hope this special little shelled one thrives and lives a long happy tort life. :)
 

jlyoncc1

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That is really interesting. Thanks for sharing!
 
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