Single-horned 'Unicorn' deer found in Italy
By MARTA FALCONI, Associated Press Writer2 hours, 35 minutes ago
By MARTA FALCONI, Associated Press Writer2 hours, 35 minutes ago
A deer with a single horn in the center of its head — much like the fabled, mythical unicorn — has been spotted in a nature preserve in Italy, park officials said Wednesday.
"This is fantasy becoming reality," Gilberto Tozzi, director of the Center of Natural Sciences in Prato, told The Associated Press. "The unicorn has always been a mythological animal."
The 1-year-old Roe Deer — nicknamed "Unicorn" — was born in captivity in the research center's park in the Tuscan town of Prato, near Florence, Tozzi said. He is believed to have been born with a genetic flaw; his twin has two horns.
Calling it the first time he has seen such a case, Tozzi said such anomalies among deer may have inspired the myth of the unicorn.
The unicorn, a horse-like creature with magical healing powers, has appeared in legends and stories throughout history, from ancient and medieval texts to the adventures of Harry Potter.
"This shows that even in past times, there could have been animals with this anomaly," he said by telephone. "It's not like they dreamed it up."
Single-horned deer are rare but not unheard of — but even more unusual is the central positioning of the horn, experts said.
"Generally, the horn is on one side (of the head) rather than being at the center. This looks like a complex case," said Fulvio Fraticelli, scientific director of Rome's zoo. He said the position of the horn could also be the result of a trauma early in the animal's life.
Other mammals are believed to contribute to the myth of the unicorn, including the narwhal, a whale with a long, spiraling tusk.
6 comments:
I remember singing a song about a unicorn years ago. Janine collected them too. So here's a real one!! Yea
Sooooo weird...and kind of yucky. I guess it could be cool too though.
I think I know this song you speak of, karen from ohio. Jeff has delighted me with his beautiful singing voice on many occasions.
Long time ago when the earth was green,
There were more kinds of animals than you've ever seen,
They'd run around free while the earth was being born,
But the loveliest of all was the Unicorn.
There were green alligators, and long necked geese,
Humped-back camels and chimpanzees,
Cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born,
The loveliest of all was the Unicorn.
IS THIS THE SONG YOU ARE REFERRING TO MOM? I remember it! Something new I found out about it, though, was that Shel Silverstein wrote it! Interesting article!
Did you actually remember all those words Drew? If so, you make me SICK! I can't remember lyrics for nothing.
And now I am going to have the song running in my mind all day long.
All. Day. Long.
Urgh!
I remembered the chorus, but not all of the verse. That's where the Internet comes in so handy.
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