It has to do with a single gene! More than a decade ago, researchers discovered that one gene (MC1R) on chromosome 16 plays an important role in giving people red hair. MC1R task is to make the protein melanocortin 1. This protein plays an important role in converting red pigment into black pigment. If you end up with only one mutated MC1R gene, red hair can appear in unwanted places, like your beard. When someone inherits two mutated versions of the MC1R-gene (one from each parent), less red pigment is converted into black pigment. ...

Nature never ceases to amaze. Found in Canada, this toad had a mutation that caused its eyes to grow in the roof of its mouth, which means it had to open its mouth to see.

This two headed albino milk snake was born two years ago in Florida.

The condition is known as Polycephaly and occurs when monozygotic twins fail to separate completely. Most organisms with this condition will not live for long, but occasionally you will get cases like this one, where the snake(s?) seem healthy enough and can live for years.

The heads act independently of one another, and will fight over food given the opportunity. ...