2-headed turtle's name is just rightBy Bo Petersen (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Chris McKeehan The two-headed turtle was given two names: Hope and Faith. RelatedAquarium folks very egg-cited over Big Mama's hardy output, published 08/22/08 Alluring creatures of the sea are back in Lowcountry waters, published 08/22/08 Click here for earlier stories on the two-headed turtle, loggerhead turtles and nesting Loggerhead nest counts are up this year, published 06/22/08 Loggerhead status to be reviewed, published 04/05/08 A two-headed loggerhead turtle hatchling released to the ocean at Kiawah Island last week didn't leave without a twin name — "Hope and Faith." It was named by 9-year-old Grace McKeehan, who found it struggling futilely in the sand. The turtle was one of three left in its nest, the first hatchlings ever encountered by Grace, who had accompanied her mom, Chris McKeehan, with the island turtle patrol, for the first time. "She wasn't horrified. She was worried about how it was going to make it," Chris McKeehan said. Wildlife biologists release deformed turtles with the healthy because most hatchlings end up eaten in the ocean. The thinking is, if this one ends up as food, maybe a healthier turtle survives. The McKeehans and another volunteer took the turtle down to the tide wash. "At first he wasn't doing too well. After awhile he was able to lift both his heads and flap his flippers at the same time." Grace said. As they nursed it along, the turtle struggled through the shallow surf. "We left her swimming and breathing in chest deep water, but she got there on her own," Chris McKeehan said. Grace thinks he will make it, two heads and all. "I have hope and faith in him," she said. |
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Comments
This article has 4 comment(s)
Posted by jeff61 on August 24, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That turtle was already named ArchDude and Sofa King
Posted by oldglory on August 24, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I could have sworn I saw this article earlier in the week or last weekend.
Posted by jeff61 on August 24, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You did but it did not have a name then... they just wrote about the turtle and if it should have been released.
Posted by KidYendor on August 24, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The two-headed turtle should have been raised at the SC Aquarium. That would have been a great draw on tourist trap brochures. "Come and see the miraculous two-headed turtle! It must be seen to be believed!"