Twins have always been fascinating with their close bonds, and at times striking similarities. However, beyond what meets the eye lies much more in terms of surprising and fun facts about twins that will leave many amazed. Here are 9 of those, shuffled for a fresh perspective:
1. Twins Begin Bonding In The Womb
Twins do not wait until after they are born to establish any connection. Amazingly, twins as early as 14 weeks into pregnancy begin to interact with each other inside the womb. They reach out and touch each other, and even seem to play together, well in advance of ever entering the world.
2. The Taller, the Better: Taller Women More Likely to Have Twins
It has been noted in research that taller women have a greater chance of conceiving twins. This is linked to the growth hormone called insulin-like growth factor (IGF), which is higher in taller women and can stimulate the release of multiple eggs when ovulation occurs.
3. Identical Twins Have Different Fingerprints
Although identical twins have almost the same DNA material, their fingerprints are different. Fingerprints are both genetically and environmentally influenced during fetal development; hence, each twin’s fingerprint is unique even when the twins are genetically similar.
4. Twins Can Be Born Months Apart
Hard as it may be to fathom, it is actually possible for twins to be born weeks or even months apart. This happens when one twin comes out early, but the other one stays in the tummy. In such a rare occurrence, due to the advancement of medical care, both twins can survive and be healthy despite the time difference between their births.
5. Twins Can Have Different Dads
Uncommonly, it is possible for twins to have different fathers. This is scientifically known as heteropaternal superfecundation, where the woman releases multiple eggs and happens to have relations with more than one partner during her fertile period. Each egg can then be fertilized by sperm from another man, resulting in twins with different fathers.
6. Twins May Have Different Skin Colors
Fraternal twins, developing from separate eggs, may even be born with completely different skin colors. This is more common when the parents come from different ethnic backgrounds, allowing for genetic variations to produce different complexions in each twin.
7. Twins Have Their Own Secret Language
One interesting thing associated with twins is a fact that some 40% of them develop their own secret language out there that nobody else understands. The made-up words and gestures usually come out in early childhood and most often fade away as the twins develop. It is really important to think about twins with respect to an age factor.
8. There’s a Rare Type of Twin Called ‘Mirror Image Twins’
Aside from the usual identical and fraternal twins, there is a rare form of twins now referred to as mirror image twins. As would be expected by the name, these twins also have opposite physical features: one with a birthmark on the left and another one on the right. This takes place when an egg splits late in development.
9. The Twin Gene Runs in the Female’s Side of the Family
As fraternal twins are a case of two eggs getting fertilized at once, they have a more probable tendency due to the genes of the mother if she has a predisposition toward releasing multiple eggs. So, in case the twins are running in a woman’s family, the chances are that she herself would give birth to twins.
Twins surely possess some very interesting and bizarre features, hence proving the fact that the relationship between twins is unique. Be it their secret language, their distinctive genetic pattern, all these fun facts prove the fact that twins are far more special than people actually think!
