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Stolen Turtle Is Double Loss

Brooklyn pet-store owner offers $1K reward for animal with little chance to survive wild

By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 19, 2008 4:51 PM CDT
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(Newser) – A Brooklyn pet-store owner knew he would be dismissed as a crank when he called the cops, but did it anyway—to report the disappearance of a two-headed turtle. The turtle, so popular with the neighborhood kids it was kept in a store window, was rare and requires special treatment. Turtle pellets must be split and offered to both the heads, the owner tells the New York Times, or they will actually fight over the food.

And there's a risk of drowning. “They don’t have the ability to dive and swim the way a normal turtle will," the owner says. "If they are put into deep water, they will actually drown." They have maneuverability problems, and tend to flip over, as heads head in different directions.  “In the wild, they would have zero chance. In captivity, most die within a few days of birth,” he adds. The store is offering a $1,000 reward, partially funded by donations.

This two-headed turtle is one of 11 multi-headed species on display this week at the NEMO Fair in Kirksville, Mo., seen Tuesday, july 17, 2007.
This two-headed turtle is one of 11 multi-headed species on display this week at the NEMO Fair in Kirksville, Mo., seen Tuesday, july 17, 2007.   (AP Photo/Kirksville Daily Express)
A Siamese twin soft shell turtle swims in a tank on display at the National Ornament Fish Day at a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.
A Siamese twin soft shell turtle swims in a tank on display at the National Ornament Fish Day at a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
Store manager Jay Jacoby displays a two-headed red slider turtle at Big Al's Aquarium Supercenter in East Norriton Pa., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. The rare turtle is on display at the store.
Store manager Jay Jacoby displays a two-headed red slider turtle at Big Al's Aquarium Supercenter in East Norriton Pa., Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. The rare turtle is on display at the store.   (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
A Siamese twin soft shell turtle swims in a tank on display at the National Ornament Fish Day at a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.
A Siamese twin soft shell turtle swims in a tank on display at the National Ornament Fish Day at a shopping mall in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007.   (AP Photo/Apichart Weerawong)
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The turtlenapping, from the turtle's point of view
New York

 
Brooklyn • turtles

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