For the third time since late March, a two-headed lamb has been born in Iceland.
This lamb (warning: includes rather graphic and Not Safe For Lunch photo) was born last week in Reykjahverfi, Þingeyjarsýsla. According to witnesses the lamb at first appeared to be quite strong and healthy, and was able to both bleat and suckle from both heads. Within hours the lamb soon weakened, and passed away shortly thereafter.
Of about 550,000 to 600,000 lambs born in Iceland each year, usually one to three will be born with two heads, according to sheep expert Jón Víðar Jónmundsson. If that’s the case, then Iceland has fulfilled its two-headed lamb quota for the year. Just last month a two-headed lamb was born in Reykholtsdal, and also died of natural causes shortly after birth. A few weeks previous, another two-headed lamb was born in Ölfus. That particular lamb was actually quite healthy, but was put down.