Two-headed turtle hatches in San Antonio


Two-headed turtle, San Diego Zoo
The two-headed turtle born last month at the San Antonio Zoo has become so popular that she has her own Facebook page. Photograph: AP Photo/San Antonio Zoo
A two-headed turtle born last month at San Antonio zoo has become so popular that it has its own Facebook page.
Zoo officials say the animal, named Thelma and Louise after the female duo in the 1991 Oscar-winning film, has been doing well.
A spokeswoman said it eats and swims, and added that the two heads, named Louise Left and Thelma Right, seem to get along. She said the zoo did not foresee any health issues for the animal.
The Facebook page on Sunday showed photos of the reptile, which hatched on 18 June and is on display at the zoo's Richard Friedrich aquarium, with imaginary conversations between the two heads.
Craig Pelke, curator of reptiles at the zoo, said that the bicephalic (two-headed) turtle was the result of twins that had not separated. "At this time, Thelma and Louise are doing well on exhibit and eating with both heads," he said.
The zoo is no stranger to two-headed reptiles. It was home to a double-headed Texas rat snake named Janus from 1978 until its death in 1995.

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