BARNSTABLE (Mass.– After hatching two weeks ago, a rare two-headed diamondback turtle is still alive at the Birdsey Cape Wildlife Center. It has all six legs.
According to staff from the center, the turtle is a threatened species. It eats blood worms and food pellets. Both heads work independently and come up for air at their own times. Inside the turtle’s shell, there are two digestive systems that feed both sides of its body.
Researchers determined that the turtle was originally from West Barnstable and had to be removed. The Cape Cod Times reported that turtles from these “headstart” nests are released into the wild after hatching. They will be closely monitored by different centers before being released in the spring.
Pria Patel, the center veterinarian, and other staff members will continue monitoring the turtle. They named it Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen in honor of the twin child stars. To learn more about the turtle’s circulatory system, the staff will perform a CT scan.
