Unearthing the Unbelievable: Terrifying Discovery of a Two-Headed Monster Mummy in the Brazilian Forest Leaves Scientists Astonished

Instances of attached identical twins are rarely found outside of humans.

Two heads are not always better than one, it seems.

These conjoined twin male bats were found in 2001 under a mango tree in southeastern Brazil. The person who found the already-deceased animals donated them to collections at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro. Last month, they were described in a publication by Marcelo Nogueira at the State University of Northern Rio de Janeiro.

“We believe the mother of these twins was roosting in this tree when she gave birth,” Nogueira explains.

An x-ray of the conjoined twin bat.

Surprisingly, this specimen is the third example of conjoined bats found, but the phenomena is still poorly known outside of human beings. This is likely because so few of the animals probably survive. In people, twins being conjoined is typically a fatal condition over 80 percent of the time—and it may be higher among animals without medical or social support.

In people, where the phenomenon is well-studied, conjoined twins are still quite rare and only happen in 1 in 200,000 births in the United States.

Conjoined Bat Twins Found in Brazilian Forest

The researchers believe these bats are newborn Artibeus bats from their physical characteristics, and also surmise they died at birth or were stillborn as their placenta is still attached.

Rare Conjoined Bat Twins Found in Brazil | Live Science

An x-ray shows these male bats have separate heads and necks, but their spines eventually converge. They also have two similarly sized but separate hearts.

Beyond just being an oddity, Nogueria explains, studying these bats can tell us more about their development.

Related Posts

Exeter Cathedral door hole could be world’s oldest cat flap

BBC Records show payments to carpenters dating around 1598 A hole in a door at a cathedral is thought to be the world’s oldest cat flap. The…

The Brazen Bull and Other Ancient Torture Devices

We independently ᴀssess all our recommendations. Purchases through our links may earn us a commission. As human beings, we’ve been gifted with an amazing capacity for creativity…

A Central African Lyre Made from a Human Skull and Antelope Horns

A unique and intriguing artifact, the Central African lyre, stands out due to its unusual construction materials, including a human skull and antelope horns. This 19th-century instrument…

Women in Ancient Egypt

Women in ancient Egypt were regarded as the equals of men in every aspect save that of occupation. The man was the head of the household and nation, but women…

The Sad Story of Hitler’s Favorite Children

As a general proposition, loyalty is a morally commendable trait. Unless, of course, it is loyalty to an evil person and cause. Few examples highlight that exception…

Mingun Myanmar Guide – A Half Day Boat Trip From Mandalay

Mingun Myanmar Guide – A Half Day Boat Trip From Mandalay The ancient city of Mingun is a little explored gem near to Mandalay in Myanmar. Being…