An adorable albino turtle went viral when its heart beat out of its chest. Tiny Hope has a disease so rare it has no name in veterinary medicine and is named human ectopia cordis.
Pictures of a rare albino baby turtle have appeared, making viewers and marine life enthusiasts extremely excited. However, this tiny reptile, called Hope, has one big difference from most other albino turtles – its beating heart is located outside its body. Hope’s owner, Mike Aquilina, said he cared for the little turtle at his home in New Jersey after getting her from a breeder friend.
Stunning photos show sea turtles swimming for the first time after getting prosthetic legs “Hope has impacted my life in so many ways, it truly touched me,” Aquilina said in comments obtained by the Daily Mail received. “She was so small and fragile, the most fragile thing, but she was not afraid.”
“Everyone can see that and she has so many people around the world supporting her,” Aquilina, 29, continued. “She is spreading hope while also giving me hope. Hope has changed my life for the better in such a short period of time.”
Owner Michael Aquilina, also known as AquaMike on Instagram, has been taking care of the Albino Pinkbelly Sideneck dog at home in New Jersey, USA, since being sent by his friend Gerard. (Credit: Caters News) The condition remains unnamed in veterinary medicine, although a similar condition, called ectopia cordis, affects humans. According to Health Line, this occurs in 1/126,000 births.
Although its exact cause is unknown, it is thought to be due to chromosomal abnormalities, in utero drug exposure, or rupture of the fetal membranes or yolk sac. Although most fetuses with this condition are stillborn (in rare cases, some babies survive the first few days, and in one extremely rare case, the condition is fixed in uterus), Hope is still active. But Aquilina says he is using “common sense” and taking extra care of her, including keeping her water “cleaner” and handling her as little as possible.
Mutant turtle with two heads still alive after 3 months. I chose a natural approach rather than a completely sterile one,” he said. The goal is to keep her deformities clear and her immune system healthy. I couldn’t risk another turtle accidentally puncturing its heart cavity. He added that she may be exposed to other turtles when she is less susceptible to infection, but “[f]or now, she has to live in a bit of a bubble.” Her food and medical supplies are provided, which allows Hope to swim and enjoy her life, Aquilina said, adding that there are currently no plans to fix the problem.
