Deformities

The turtle was born with deformities caused by the chemicals in the water.

Despite its deformities, the creature still looked human.

Operation Smile is an international group of medical professionals who perform reconstructive surgery, free of charge, for children with facial deformities.

Research has shown that ultraviolet radiation, exposure to pesticides and other chemicals, and parasitic infections all can cause deformities in amphibians. In the case of the parasite, the target is the base of the tadpole's tail, where the hind legs develop. Infected tadpoles grow into frogs with too many legs, abnormal legs, or sometimes no legs at all.