The
story about penguins falling over backwards as they watch a plane flying
overhead and keep watching until they overbalance, has been going the rounds
for some time, although it may just be an “outdoor urban myth”. However, a few
years ago a wildlife expert from Australia reported another reason why
penguins, particularly female ones, might be found in unfortunate positions.
Adelie
penguins on the coast of Antarctica build
their nests from small stones, which are therefore highly prized at breeding
time in the enormous colonies that these birds create. Theft of stones is
common, but some enterprising females have hit on a new way of getting hold of
a supply.
On the
fringes of the colony, the young males who have not yet found a mate are
doubtless sexually frustrated, but they have the advantage of ready access to
large numbers of stones from outside the colony. They therefore collect piles
of the best stones, with which they buy sexual favours from the breeding
females who visit them with the sole purpose of getting hold of a stone. The
going rate appears to be one good stone per shag.
In this
trade, everyone's a winner. Except perhaps for the male penguin back at the
nest who might be wondering (a) why the missus is looking so VERY pleased with
herself when she gets back with a stone, (b) why she has taken so long getting
it, and (c) why she keeps complaining about a headache when he suggests that
they have an early night.
© John
Welford
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