Two-Headed Turtle Hatchling Discovered on Cape Cod

A rare two-headed turtle hatchling found on Cape Cod offers new insights into bicephaly in wildlife. Learn more about this unique discovery.

Editorial Desk

September 19, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Wellfleet, Massachusetts — A rare two-headed turtle hatchling has been discovered on Cape Cod, marking the second such case seen by the Cape Wildlife Center in five years.

The diamondback terrapin, weighing just 5.2 grams, was found at a protected nesting site in Wellfleet and taken to the Cape Wildlife Center by the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The center shared images of the hatchling on Facebook, highlighting its two distinct heads, a condition known as bicephaly.

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Bicephaly occurs when conjoined twins do not fully separate during development, and it is most commonly observed in turtles and snakes. While many two-headed animals face challenges such as difficulty eating or internal conflict, reptiles tend to have better survival rates. The wildlife center’s veterinary team is closely monitoring the hatchling’s growth and behavior, with staff reporting that both heads appear healthy.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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