The weather is cold and icy -- like many penguins' habitats are around the clock -- and snow is sure to come soon. So what better time than now to learn or be reminded of some of the fascinating qualities of these aquatic birds? Penguins are one of the most adorable creatures that walk the earth -- not only in their appearance, but in the way they live their lives. The more you learn about these tuxedo-wearing birds, the more you fall in love with them. Here are some facts that prove the mystical wonders of the greatness of the one and only penguin.
1. They're clumsy
Look up "Penguin Fails" on YouTube and you will find a plethora of adorable clips of penguins wobbling around, struggling to stay on their feet in their icy habitat. They slide into each other and tumble off cliffs but get back on their little webbed feet and continue waddling on their merry way like nothing even happened.
2. They like to sing and dance
Just kidding, that's only in "Happy Feet" -- or is it? We may never know what the penguins do when they aren't in the presence of humans. One can only dream.
3. They search for the perfect gift for each other
It is a tradition in penguin culture for the male penguin to search far and wide across all of Antarctica to find the perfect pebble to give to a lady penguin he wants to be with. When the male penguin presents the pebble to the female and she likes it, she puts it in her nest,and the two penguins live happily ever after. Don't you wish human relationships were that simple?
4. They stay with the same mate their whole life
When penguins find their soul mate, they stay with them until they die. Of course, they have to separate to look for food in some seasons, but they never change partners. The exception is in some species, if a penguin's husband or wife doesn't come back or dies, they will sometimes find a new mate for reproductive purposes.
5. They eat squid
Squids are one of the creepiest creatures of the sea, and some penguins like to dine on this delicacy at their nearest seafood restaurant. They don't know what a favor they are doing us who don't like squids -- slowly lowering their population, and hopefully the nightmares and traumas squids have caused some of us as well.
6. Each penguin has its own unique call
Even penguins of the same species all have their own unique call. This is so they can recognize their mate and their children and not loose them, because they are all wearing the same tuxedo. Even though each species wear similar outfits, they still have certain things to make them unique.
I hope you learned something new or simply enjoyed reading about this magical and adorable creature. Penguins are awesome and they deserve to be celebrated. Next time you see people wearing tuxedos, sledding, waddling, or falling over, think of penguins. They're thinking of you. Actually probably not, but who am I to say? I'm not a penguin, nor can I speak to them. If only I could interview one. Then we would have a firsthand view of their lives.