TMNT: Was Master Splinter Ever Human?

The origin story of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is iconic, well known even by those who have no interest in the franchise. The four brothers were once completely ordinary baby turtles who were exposed to DNA melding ooze and subsequently transformed into sentient, humanoid mutant turtles. In addition to being famous, the turtles’ backstory is also consistent, featuring the same basic structure across every incarnation the turtles find themselves in. They begin life as regular turtles until they have a chance encounter with a cannister of mutagen. The same cannot be said for the fifth most famous mutant of the franchise, Master Splinter.