Fraternal twins, or dizygotic twins, result from two separate eggs fertilized by two sperm cells. This means each twin inherits a unique combination of genes from both parents. In multiracial families, the diverse genetic background can lead to twins with differing skin colors, depending on the mix of alleles for light and dark skin they each inherit.

Yes and no. Like any other siblings, all fraternal twins share about 50% of their DNA. However, the specific combination of genes each twin inherits from their parents can vary greatly, leading to differences in physical characteristics such as skin color.

The scientific explanation lies in genetics. A relatively small number of genes are responsible for human skin color, and different alleles code for variations in melanin production. When parents come from diverse racial backgrounds, the combination of genes their children inherit can result in varying skin tones, even among siblings born simultaneously, like fraternal twins.