Flapping Fabulous
There is one animal on the planet that, without a doubt, is the most fabulous.
This animal has a distinct strut that turns heads, a regal face of sophistication, and they are consistently the best dressed no matter the occasion.
We are obviously talking about…penguins.
Penguins cannot fly, but they make up for it by being the most fly both underwater and on land.
Not convinced? Indulge us.
The tuxedo
This classic black and white combo provides penguins with the power of ‘counter shading’. Counter shading is an adaptation to one’s environment to camouflage for safety. This camouflage works because a predator swimming above a penguin would have a hard time seeing a penguin as the penguin’s black back blends into the darkness of the ocean floor. And on the flip side, if a predator were swimming beneath a penguin, the penguin’s white belly would blend into the light streaming down the water.
This is proof that penguins dress for not only fashion but for functionality too!
Hopeless Romantics
During the breeding season, large groups of penguins gather to form ‘rookeries’. Rookeries can range from 5,000 to 10,000 penguins, but penguin mates can find each other through the masses by identifying their mate’s call. This is particularly adorable as they go to the same mate season after season. Even better, when a male penguin is courting a female penguin, he will find the smoothest stone and give it to her as a sign of affection.
10 more brownie points to penguins for romance!
Globe Trotters
When you envision penguins, what do you see? Ice? Glaciers?
Penguins do inhabit Antarctica, but they also thrive in warmer parts of the world! You can find them waddling on the West Coast of South Africa and Namibia to the Galapagos Islands to New Zealand and Australia. The range of penguin habitats comes with a range of penguin species that all have their distinct look and style. For instance, the ‘Macaroni penguins’ were named for their dapper head crest that looked like the 18th Century fashion statement of upper-classmen who wore flamboyant hats with feathers.
They're fashion icons- 20 brownie points!
With the evidence of penguin fashion, romance and worldly-ness, we believe that we have settled our case on who is the most flapping fabulous of them all!
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