Rare Conjoined Tortoise Twins are Successfully Separated
A rare set of tiny tortoise twins have been successfully separated after they were born conjoined at their yolk sac.
A rare set of tiny tortoise twins have been successfully separated after they were born conjoined at their yolk sac.
The creatures were born at Garden State Tortoise, a New Jersey-based organization that breeds turtles and tortoises from all over the world.
On October 11, the organization's founder, Chris Leon, noticed that a tortoise was struggling to leave its shell so he decided to lend a helping hand.
Read: Divers Catch Rare Close-Up Glimpse of Giant Sunfish
"To my surprise, the reason the baby couldn't exit was because it was attached to its twin," he told INSIDE EDITION. "I helped them out of the egg and discovered they were joined at the yolk sac which is basically the equivalent to an umbilical. Immediately we knew we had a bit of a challenge on our hands."
By gently using dental floss, he managed to safely sever the miniscule sac. Two days later, the tortoises - named BumbleBee and Yellowjacket - were fully separated.
Chris added that it is not common to find twin tortoises. Often one twin will die because it is underdeveloped, he said.
"We lucked out with these two gems because they were attached only by the yolk sac," he said.
BumbleBee and Yellowjacket are now in an incubator, where they are thriving thanks to care from Chris and his wife.
Read: Giant Panda Gives Birth to 2 Cubs at Toronto Zoo
"They'll stay in the incubator for a little while until they start taking their first meals and then they'll be moved to a similar indoor enclosure that other babies like them are reared in," he said.
"We expect them to do just as well as the rest as soon as they are out of this sensitive stage. So, it's looking great for them!"
For more information on Garden State Tortoise, visit their website or Facebook.
Watch Below: Coast Guard Rescues Sea Turtles Tangled in Pollution
Trending on Inside Edition

Anne Heche Under Investigation for DUI, Hit and Run, After Slamming Car Into Los Angeles Home
Crime
Gabby Petito's Family Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against Moab PD, Cops Who Handled Brian Laundrie 911 Call
News
1-Year-Old Boy Killed in Tragic Incident After Cement Truck Lands on Vehicle
News
Man Sentenced to 5 Years in State Prison After Fraudulent GoFundMe Campaign
Crime
Fiona the Hippo's Newborn Sibling Is a Boy, Cincinnati Zoo Reveals for the First Time
Animals