Public Domain Super Heroes
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Pushmi-Pullyu
IMG 3967

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)

See Also[]

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