Pushmi-Pullyu | |
---|---|
Real Name |
Unknown |
First appearance |
The Story of Doctor Dolittle (1920) |
Original publisher |
Frederick A. Stokes |
Created by |
Hugh Lofting |
Origin[]
The Pushmi-Pullyu is an ungulate mammal with two heads on opposite ends of its body. Native to the jungles of Africa, it is the rare hybrid offspring of a gazelle mating with the even scarcer unicorn. The Pushmi-Pullyu who became friends with Dr. Dolittle claims that his father's great-grandfather was the last of the unicorns.
Although they possess horns on each head to defend themselves, the pushmi-pullyu is generally a very timid creature and prefers to evade danger and flee at the first sign of confrontation. The pushmi-pullyu usually only uses one of its heads to talk, reserving the other for eating - thus allowing it to eat while speaking without being rude. The creature sleeps with only one head at a time, allowing it to keep constant watch for predators
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- The Story of Doctor Dolittle (1920)
- The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle (1922)
- Doctor Dolittle's Post Office (1923)
- Doctor Dolittle's Circus (1924)
- Doctor Dolittle's Zoo (1925)