Female turkeys are capable of parthenogenesis, a rare biological process where they can spontaneously fertilize their own eggs and produce healthy offspring without any contact with a male turkey.

A closer look

Female turkeys are capable of parthenogenesis, a rare biological process where they can spontaneously fertilize their own eggs and produce healthy offspring without any contact with a male turkey. This immaculate avian conception usually happens when females are isolated from toms for long periods, triggering an extreme evolutionary backup plan to ensure the survival of their genetic line. The resulting chicks are invariably male and genetic clones of their mother, carrying a bizarre set of identical chromosomes. It is simultaneously impressive and a little terrifying that these seemingly dim-witted Thanksgiving staples possess the hidden biological ability to completely clone themselves, rendering the male of their species entirely obsolete whenever they feel like it