Names: Two-Headed Turtle, Gator Turtle

In the depths of the Monongahela River, there lurks a two-headed turtle the size of a bear and with the skin of an alligator. Though only one of many dangers that reside in these waters, the Ogua is the main reason early human inhabitants avoided wading in and crossing its banks.

The fearsome Ogua existed long before humanity set foot on North American shores; but, it was first recorded in literature by early European settlers in the 18th century. In the first account, a man claimed to have seen the creature hunting along the river; a plan in mind, he led a group of men to ambush the giant, 444 lb turtle－where they killed it with wooden clubs.

Subsequently, in the mid-18 th century, a family living on the riverside saw an enormous reptile surface one night and pluck their 12-year-old boy from the shore; he disappeared in seconds. As soon as they saw the beast, they scoured the waters and called for their son, but he…