Turtle Born With Unusual Deformity To Remain Under Lifelong Care Of Shelter Staff
One unusual turtle is getting a second chance at life in the city of Shangaroo City in China. After the tiny Trachemys scripta elegans was relinquished at the animal shelter as a result of being born with a pair of heads, staff immediately began to work in an attempt to provide the turtle with a chance at a somewhat normal life, based on the fact that many two-headed chelonians do not possess the physical health to survive. Thankfully the turtle is doing surprisingly well and the shelter reports that the neonate will life out its life at the facility, preventing the sharing of genes between its wild relatives if it were to be released into the wild. The staff members also believe that the hatchling will never obtain the ability to survive in the wild, and thus an additional reason to remain in their care. This rare mutation creates a low chance of survival for this aquatic turtle, but with proper and dedicated care it will likely be able to live a reasonably normal life in captivity, although researchers state that the normal lifespan may be shortened. This mutation phenomenon, known as Diprosopus, is also observed in other animal species and is commonly a result of twins which did not separate correctly inside the egg.
Turtle News From Around the World
Conservation
AU: Lepidochelys olivacea makes valiant albeit unsuccessful journey
USA: Rescued hatchling breaking odds and thriving
Miscellany
CA: Pair makes impressive and inspiring save
USA: Massive Centrochelys sulcata finds its way home
UK: Missing pet the focus of determined family
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Photo from Sophie Lloyd.
