The San Antonio Zoo debuted one really special and unique attraction - a two-headed turtle the zoo has named “Thelma and Louise.”
The zoo said that Thelma and Louise, a Texas cooter turtle, was hatched on June 18 and first shows to the public on Tuesday. Craig Pelke, Curator of Reptiles, Amphibians, and Aquatics, explained that the turtle was born with two heads because the twins did not separate and that this is uncommon, but does happen. It is more common with snakes and turtles. “At this time, Thelma and Louise are doing well on exhibit and eating with both heads,” Pelke said.
Zoo spokeswoman Debbie Rios-Vanskike told the Associated Press that Thelma and Louise can walk and swim. The staff doesn’t expect any health problems.
The San Antonio Zoo was also home to a two-headed Texas rat snake they named Janus. The snake lived from 1978 to 1996.
According to The San Antonio Express-News, the cooter is a freshwater species native to Texas.
“The first time I saw her and held her she seemed like she had a split personality,” Belke told Fox 13. “The right side was looking around very curious and the left side was trying to bite me.”
The turtle was named after Ridley Scott’s 1991 film Thelma & Louise.
image: San Antonio Zoo