Wildlife experts were left seeing double after discovering an incredibly rare baby turtle born with two heads.
The tiny diamondback terrapin weighs just 5.2g – roughly the same as a teaspoon of sugar.
Amazing pictures show the unusual hatchling nestled in a gloved hand with two distinct heads poking out of its shell.
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The turtle was discovered at a protected nesting site in Wellfleet, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, before being taken into the care of wildlife experts.
Its unusual condition is known as bicephaly – a rare developmental abnormality that results in an animal having two heads, as reported by Whats The Jam.
The hatchling was brought to the Cape Wildlife Center by the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
Experts said they have encountered just two other cases of bicephaly in the past five years.
The Cape Wildlife Center said: “While we’ve encountered this unusual condition before, every case gives us another opportunity to learn more about these fascinating animals’ anatomy and physiology.
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“Our veterinary team will be closely monitoring the little terrapin as we learn more about how their two heads and bodies work together.
“For now, our team is monitoring this little one’s (two’s?) appetite, growth, and behavior closely.”
Diamondback terrapins are typically found around salt marshes and estuaries along the Atlantic coast of the US.
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They are classed as threatened in Massachusetts, where populations have been affected by habitat loss, road deaths and predators.
The Cape Wildlife Center previously cared for another two-headed diamondback terrapin discovered on Cape Cod in 2021.
Mass Audubon has said two-headed hatchlings are among only a handful discovered during nearly five decades of monitoring terrapins in the area.
The latest arrival will now remain under close observation as experts monitor how it eats, grows and moves.
Social media users were delighted by the unusual hatchling.
One person said: “Well if this isn’t the cutest thing I’ve seen today!”
Another person added: “Hoping they have full healthy lives.”
One user wrote: “Double the Cuteness.”
Another person said: “Two heads are better than one. Glad they are with NEWC!”
And one user wrote: “Sign them up for… CREATURE DOUBLE FEATURE.”
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