Posted on 08/30/2019 7:24:01 AM PDT by Red Badger
Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Researchers shared a photo of an unusual discovery on a South Carolina beach -- a sea turtle hatchling with two heads.
The Sea Turtle Patrol on Hilton Head Island posted a photo to Facebook showing the tiny turtle with two heads, a condition known as being bicephalic.
"This mutation is more common in reptiles than in other animals, but it is still very rare," the post said.
Patrol member Jayme Davidson Lopko made the discovery while conducting a nest inventory. The turtle -- dubbed Squirt and Crush after sea turtles from Disney and Pixar's Finding Nemo -- was released into the ocean
Climate Change! Trump’s fault!
There’s the poof!
The amazing thing is NOT that one was born with two heads. The AMAZING THING is the millions born with one..................
The Romney Turtle.
We have problems down here in Florida with tourists disturbing the nests..........
Curious how these heads are “wired” in. Is one just along for the ride, or does the left head control the left side and the right head control the right side?
That would be port and starboard..............
We’re all going to die.
Gamera !
Two heads are better than one?
Giving it a name like that guaranteed that it would die a horrible death within minutes if that, the poor little tot(s). What were people thinking? Disney!
South Carolina Ping 
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Hate to say it, but two-headed turtles aren’t really that rare. I believe snakes also sometimes occur in the two-headed variety. Must be something about reptiles and amphibians.
In any case, there’s probably a 2-headed turtle in many a pond here in Florida (I’ve seen them). And it’s not just because we’re Florida and we’re weird...
OMG! The sky is falling. :)
In 1971 I owned a retail pet store in northern NJ and had a 2 headed turtle (Red Neck Slider). I bought it from a local wholesaler for $25 when at that time baby turtles were selling for about $.99.
A friend in the area wrote for a local paper called the “Suburban” and did a front page story on my turtle, which was dubbed “Double Header” because of my love of baseball.
That was the beginning of a great adventure because after that story ran I received a call from Life magazine who wanted to do a story (actually a photo spread) to which I agreed if they would give my store a mention. They said ok but never did mention my store by name. Instead they said the Turtle was in a sore in Northern NJ.
That original story in the local paper led to a call from NBC who wanted me to be on the show, “To Tell The Truth”. On the show the panel was Orson Bean, Kitty Carlysle, and 2 others I cannot recall.
About 2 months later the phone rings in my store and I pick up the phone and after identifying myself and the store the caller asked if I was the guy with the 2 headed turtle. I said yes and he then said he was Orson Bean. I thought it was someone pulling my leg but asked what I could do for him. He said he was scheduled to go on the Johnny Carson show in a week and wanted to bring my turtle. I said as long as I go along and hold on to the turtle until he goes on and I get it back immediately after AND he mentions my store. He agreed and I met him and another guest, Barry White in the Green Room.
Anyway, Oson Bean is introduced by Carson and he walks on with my Turtle in a small Turtle Bowl. Carson asked where he got it from and Bean said fro/ his friend, then he mentioned my name and the name and location of my Pet Store. Carson looked visibly upset at the free plug Orson Bean gave me, I suppose because advertising on Carson’s show was very expensive and free plugs were a no-no.
After that my store was flooded with people from the area and on weekends it was mayhem as hundreds and hundreds of people came to see my turtle. My business easily doubled for a period of a couple of months before it began to quiet down.
Finally about 4-5 months after the whole thing started I get a call from I guy who claimed he worked in a Carnival and wanted to buy my Turtle for an exhibit. I told him it was not for sale and he said to me. “everything is for sale for the right price”. Of course he was right but I said I was not interested because I was getting invaluable mileage as far as advertising just by word of mouth.
He kept calling and after about the 4th or 5th call and after he asked me to “just name the price” I threw out a number I believed would chase him away, and that number was $1,000. (remember this was early 1970’s). He attempted to negotiate and I said no, told him I had a business to tun and hung up.
A few days later A man walks in my store and asks my help for me and introduces himself to me as they guy wanting to buy my turtle. I said I wasn’t interested in any negotiationns and he agreed and said he would pay the $1000 in advance but didn’t want the Turtle until the Spring when the Carnival reopened.
WE drew up a purchase agreement which noted the Turtle had to be alive on the date it was picked up and the money was refundable if it was not. The day arrived and the Turtle was alive. He picked it up and even bought an aquarium and supplies before he left (He wanted me to throw the aquarium and supplies in but I refused).
He paid for the stuff and that was the last I saw my turtle.
It turns out it is not at all uncommon for these green turtles to be born with 2 heads (perhaps 1 in a 1000) but what was unusual is that both of the heads on my turtle were active and both heads would eat. Usually one of the heads is not functioning.
All in all a great experience.
Free plugs are a no-no on all TV & radio. Of course Orson knew this, but didn't care, since he made a promise. Advertising is their bread and butter and they do not like giving it away..............
What a good story and experience for you!
Bennett Cerf and Dorothy Kilgallen (sp?) were panelists on WML, too.
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