Guwahati, July 17: We all know about twins in human beings, but did you know that twins can occur in tortoises too?
In a groundbreaking event, Nagaland Zoological Park has documented the first-ever case of twinning in the critically endangered Asian Giant Tortoise ( Manouria emys phayrei).
This historic event unfolded on April 30, 2023, when a large female tortoise laid 53 eggs. After 74 days of incubation under controlled conditions, 38 eggs hatched, including two sets of twins—a phenomenon never before recorded in this species. These twin tortoises were nurtured with extraordinary care, using a teak leaf as a makeshift shell to keep them intact until they naturally separated.
Sushmita Kar, a Ph.D. researcher working with TSA Foundation India, shared the excitement of this rare occurrence. “This is a rare phenomenon in AGT and may be the first published record of twinning in AGT,” she said.
The twins displayed typical characteristics of twinned turtles, such as sharing a single yolk sac and differing in sizes, although the weaker hatchlings did not survive long after hatching.
This remarkable discovery was made possible by the TSA Foundation India and the Nagaland Forest Department, who have established the largest conservation-breeding facility for this species at the Nagaland Zoological Park.
Located in Dimapur District, the 176-hectare park is recognized by the Central Zoo Authority of India and features a dedicated 0.2-hectare enclosure for the conservation-breeding of Manouria emys , with separate facilities for hatchlings, yearlings, and adults.
A scientific paper on this event has been published in the journal Reptiles and Amphibians, highlighting the importance of the park’s conservation efforts. This breakthrough not only provides new insights into the reproductive biology of the Asian Giant Tortoise but also underscores the critical need for ongoing efforts to protect and preserve this endangered species.
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