Did you know that twins make up two percent of the world’s population? Twins are a fascinating phenomenon. There are a lot of facts about twins that people are unaware of. Here are ten fascinating facts about twins that you should know.
The word “twin” comes from the Latin word “gemini,” meaning “twins.” Twins are the result of a woman releasing two eggs at the same time during ovulation or when a single egg splits in two during the fertilization process. Most twins are fraternal, meaning they are developed from two separate eggs, while about one-third of twins are identical, meaning they are developed from a single egg that splits in two.
Twins come in a variety of forms, including mirror image twins, conjoined twins, semi-identical twins, and superfecundation twins. Mirror image twins are identical twins that are mirror images of each other, conjoined twins are twins that are physically connected to one another, semi-identical twins are a rare type of fraternal twins, and superfecundation twins are fraternal twins that are born to two different fathers.
Twins can be born at different times. This is known as a delayed interval delivery and is most common with fraternal twins. Twins may also be born at different weights and heights. Twins can also have different blood types, even if they are identical.
Twins can also have different fingerprints. Fraternal twins can have different fingerprints due to environmental factors, while identical twins can have different fingerprints due to a random division of cells during the development process. Twins also have an increased risk of health complications, such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental delays.
Twins are more likely to be left-handed than singletons. Studies have shown that between 27 and 40 percent of twins are left-handed, compared to only 10 percent of singletons. Twins have also been found to have higher IQs than singletons.
Twins have a unique bond that often lasts for a lifetime. Studies have shown that twins often have a strong emotional connection and can even feel each other’s pain. Twins also often develop a unique language that only they can understand.
Twins are a fascinating phenomenon and there are a lot of facts about them that people are unaware of. From twin types to their unique bond, there are many interesting facts about twins that you were perhaps unaware of.
