Scientists stunned to find bizarre two-headed shark

Updated

If you think a normal shark is intimidating enough, try one with two heads.

Scientists recently documented a case involving a two-headed embryo among egg-laying sharks and it is believed to be the first known instance for this kind, reports National Geographic.

Detailing the finding of this peculiar Atlantic sawtail catshark embryo in the Journal of Fish Biology, researchers note, "...the specimen was detected among 797 embryos intended for cardiovascular studies...Each head had a mouth, two eyes, a brain, a notochord and five gill openings on each side. The two heads fused behind the gills. On the single body, there were four anticipated dorsal fins, two anterior, right and left and two posterior, right and left."

Experts say animals with such a condition have a difficult time sustaining themselves in the wild.

According to C. Michael Wagner, a biologist from Michigan State University, "If they make it to birth, two-headed sharks probably don't survive long in the wild...since they likely have a hard time swimming and finding food."

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