Janus, who also has two hearts, two pairs of lungs and two distinct personalities, would not have survived long in the wild as he cannot retract his heads into his shell to seek shelter from predators. But at the Geneva Natural History Museum, where he hatched in 1997, Bourgoin and her team of carers - who believe he is the world's oldest bicephalic tortoise - can cater for his every need!
He is under constant surveillance in case he flips over, which could be fatal, and survived a bladder stone operation in 2020. His heads need periodic treatment with vaseline to stop them getting sore when they rub together.
His two personalities also generate different moods and tastes that can occasionally lead to conflict, for example over which direction to walk. "The right head is more curious, more awake, it has a much stronger personality. The left head is more passive and loves to eat," Bourgoin said, adding that one head was partial to endives and the other to carrots.
International Turtle and Tortoise Week 2024, Day 1
Happy Earth Day and happy International Turtle and Tortoise Week! 馃寧 We are kicking off the best week of the year with literal tree hugging: Sometimes, you just have to hug a tree! (Or a tree root if you are like me and can't reach the trunk.) 馃尦馃馃悽
With all of today's literal and figurative tree hugging, don't forget that we should all be kind to our planet more than just one day every year. Be thoughtful about reducing, reusing, and recycling every day to help our beautiful home stay beautiful! 鈾伙笍馃挌馃審