Existential question about/for two-headed turtle

[steve(thelil)]

On Letterman last night, frequent guest Jack Hanna of the Columbus Zoo displayed a two-headed turtle. Both heads seemed pretty content and not agitated at the other's close presence.

Jack explained that the different heads controlled different (opposite) pairs of legs (the right head controlled the left legs and vice-versa) and that, for this reason, the turtle didn't walk much. Nonetheless, it walked on the show. But that's just a thread teaser.

The even more existential question raised by the two-headed turtle is: does each head look at the other as "him" or "me"?

[steve(thelil)]

Absolutely brilliant 'Lil. It's threads like these that make you my very favorite "retarded" poster Did the "Weed Wagon" make a special delivery?

But really, haven't you, like, overlooked the real existential question: Isn't the so-called "two-headed turtle" really better described as "two radically deformed turtles"?"


(If I'm offending any two-headed posters, I don't care. OK, I care. But I would think that two-headed people would prefer to be regarded as two radically deformed people than one "normal" two-headed person.)

[tippy]

I'm thinking they view each other as separate turtles - especially since they don't know how to coordinate walking very well.

Or they might not think about "otherness" at all but just look for stuff to put in their respective mouths and take poops and such (probably don't even have to think about that).

Here's a question: is mating for these turtles a menage a trois?

[tippy]

By the way I think it's great that you are thinking for turtles. That's a specialized kind of volunteer work.

[Gentle Giant]

I'm a big fan of the animal kingdom in general, but I'd be just as happy if all the reptiles and amphibians disappeared from the planet for good. They give me the willies.

[Scott Dolan]

Good thing you don't live in Florida.

They gottz biggins down there!!!

[John L]

They may have been two, but they appear to have achieved a very special oneness on the show when they managed to walk. That was such a precious moment!

[Pete C]

They share the same shell, but they hate each other's guts.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

If someone invents a turtlenecks sweater, one can only wonder how big the market for such an article of clothing could be. If you think about it, it's really kind of sad.

[clinthopson]

I need a picture of that turtle to show our tortoise, Larry, when he comes out of hibernation.