SA Zoo's newest addition: Two-headed turtle

Unique turtles born June 18

SAN ANTONIO – A new addition at the San Antonio Zoo will have visitors doing a double-take.

Tuesday, the zoo announced a two-headed turtle was born June 18, part of what it calls a "quartet" of Texas cooters.

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The zoo introduced Thelma and Louise to visitors at the Friedrich Aquarium on Wednesday.

Craig Belke, the curator of Reptiles, Amphibians and Aquatic Animals, said two-headed turtles are uncommon, but not unnatural in the animal kingdom. He said the turtle's health challenges may vary, but it could live 30 to 40 years.

When asked who was in charge, Belke laughed and said, "I don't know, the first day I saw her and held her she seemed like she had a split personality. The right side was looking around very curious, the left side was trying to bit me, but I put my vote on the left side. A little dominant, a little pushy."

Below is a picture of the turtles and one of their ordinary single-headed counterparts.

Turtles