OFFBEAT

Double celebration: Two-headed tortoise Janus turns 25

Greek tortoise reached the record for the longest known life span of a two-headed tortoise

Published: September 03, 2022 20:45 Nathaniel Lacsina, Senior Web Editor and with inputs from AFP

1 of 12

Geneva: Angelica Bourgoin strokes the shell of Janus the tortoise, whispering to him quietly as he scuttles in his pen and - his two heads rubbing together - prepares to celebrate his 25th birthday. Image Credit: Reuters

2 of 12

Janus, who also has two hearts, two 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. Image Credit: Reuters

3 of 12

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. Image Credit: Reuters

4 of 12

They feed him organic salad and give him daily massages and baths in green tea and chamomile. For exercise, he goes for regular walks, sometimes with music, and rides on a custom-made skateboard. Image Credit: Reuters

5 of 12

"I think it's because of the attention we give him and our devotion that he's still here today," said Bourgoin. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 12

Janus, a Greek tortoise named after the two-headed Roman god of beginnings and transitions, also has a special party to look forward to this weekend. But it's not all plain sailing. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 12

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. Image Credit: Reuters

8 of 12

His two personalities also generate different moods and tastes that can occasionally lead to conflict, for example over which direction to walk. Image Credit: Reuters

9 of 12

"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. Image Credit: Reuters

10 of 12

Image Credit: Reuters

11 of 12

Angelica Bourgoin feeds Janus. Image Credit: AFP

12 of 12

Image Credit: AFP

Photos News

Double celebration: Two-headed tortoise Janus turns 25

More From Photos

King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: Palace

British Airways is out to pick up some fast market share after re-launch of Abu Dhabi to London flights

Photos: Tensions rise as US pro-Palestinian student protests spread

Thousands of flights in Europe scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike

GULFNEWS SECTIONS

Trending

Double celebration: Two-headed tortoise Janus turns 25

More From Photos

King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: Palace

British Airways is out to pick up some fast market share after re-launch of Abu Dhabi to London flights

Photos: Tensions rise as US pro-Palestinian student protests spread

Thousands of flights in Europe scrapped as French air traffic controllers strike

GULFNEWS SECTIONS