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Rare Two-Headed Reptile Fossil Discovered in Brazil

8/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A 120-million-year-old two-headed reptile fossil was found in Brazil's Crato Formation.
This bicephaly, or axial bifurcation, likely resulted from embryonic development.
The specimen may be a hatchling, providing insights into ancient developmental anomalies.
Such rare fossils emphasize the importance of preservation conditions in paleontology.

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Story summary

A 120-million-year-old two-headed reptile fossil was found in Brazil's Crato Formation.
This bicephaly, or axial bifurcation, likely resulted from embryonic development.
The specimen may be a hatchling, providing insights into ancient developmental anomalies.
Such rare fossils emphasize the importance of preservation conditions in paleontology.