A healthy calf born with two heads due to a rare genetic defect was standing tall today - even drinking milk unaided.

The mutant baby cow named Chao Meechok was born three weeks ago at a family farm in Chumphon province, southern Thailand.

Chao Meechok - the female offspring of a 16-year-old American Brahman cow - had a deformed face with two skulls connected to the same neck.

Both heads share one brain and body but amazingly, she can walk and eat normally like her eight older siblings.

Footage shows the strange-looking calf - with two pairs of eyes, two noses, and two mouths, but only one pair of ears - standing on the grass and sucking milk from two bottles today, August 8.

Farmer Wandee Suwanrat, 42, said: ‘We bought Chao Meechok's mother Chao Mungmee from a breeder and she was very healthy. We took good care of her and she gave birth to eight calves before she had Chao Meechok.'

Wandee said that despite the calf's unusual appearance, her family believe the special animal is a sign of good luck and will bring them good fortune.

According to Buddhist superstitions, the two-headed cow is a blessing, so they are determined to ensure she is healthy and treat her well so that she lives a long life.

Vets have even given her cattle vaccines just like the other animals.

She said: ‘Chao Meechok is unique so we give her special treatment. We let it sleep in a bed covered with a mosquito net to make it more comfortable for her.

‘We also want the calf to be properly nourished, so we hand-feed her with bottled milk.'

The family also checked with a veterinarian who confirmed that the two heads of the calf could not be separated from each other.

Chao Meechok added: ‘According to a vet the two heads cannot be surgically separated. They both share one brain.'

The calf is believed to have a very rare genetic defect called dicephaly caused by pregnant cow's ingestion of toxic plants, mineral deficiencies, and use of some anti-worm medicines.