But even here, along the famous Ocean Front Walk, a two-headed, six-legged conjoined set of twin red-eared slider turtles stands out.
Their names are Cheech and Chong and they're the newest stars at the Venice Beach Freakshow.
Freakshow founder Todd Ray isn't sure whether Cheech and Chong are male or female. It's too difficult to determine their gender since they're only a few months old. But Ray says they eat twice as much as a one-headed turtle, and they run "ridiculously fast."
Caring for conjoined twin turtles is no easy task. They demand plenty of attention, passion and hard work to be kept alive.
"Since there are two personalities, they want to go two separate ways sometimes," Ray said. "This can often end up in a battle that causes them to flip over and then they can't flip themselves back."
Ray said such battles have led to the deaths of other two-headed turtles he has owned.
Tips on Caring for Multiheaded Pets
Having learned from past experiences with conjoined critters, Ray keeps Cheech and Chong in shallow water, so in the event of a flip they can avoid drowning until help arrives. They also face a greater risk of illness, requiring tank cleanings twice a day to minimize bacteria. That, along with a hefty supply of regular turtle food pellets, has kept them thriving.
Ray has collected many unusual animals for his Freakshow. He found this particular curious creature on an Internet forum. He contacted the seller, based in Illinois, and bought the twins a ticket aboard an animal-friendly flight, where they were treated to climate-controlled conditions and safe handling.
Now in their new Venice Beach home, these extraordinary reptiles are relatively ordinary. A dozen other conjoined twin or multilimbed turtles are keeping Cheech and Chong company, as will Myrtle, Squirtle and Thirdle -- possibly the world's only live three-headed animal.
Ray purchased the tri-headed turtle from its owner in Peru after hearing about it from a visitor at his museum. The fully formed heads of Myrtle and Squirtle eat enough to support the underdeveloped Thirdle.
Cheech and Chong will also share space with an array of other living oddities, including Rocky, a five-legged miniature pinscher Ray adopted from a Mississippi dog pound; Fluffy, a five-legged bichon frise puppy; Bert and Ernie, a two-headed bearded dragon; and two sets of two-headed snakes.
In addition to the animals, the three-story Freakshow building houses nearly 100 curious creatures preserved in jars, memorabilia of freaks past and present, and live performances by sword swallowers, fire eaters and more.
"It's a passion and obsession I wouldn't give up for nothing," Ray said. "When I show a child a two-headed turtle, their eyes open so big and their smile widens so wide. That's the magic. That's why I do it."
