Penguin
Altogether, about 17 species of Penguin exist; these flightless birds are found almost exclusively in the southern hemisphere (see also penguins in the northern hemisphere), many on or towards Antarctica. The northernmost penguins live in the Galapagos Islands, near the equator. All penguins are camoflaged with light and dark feathers, and their wings act as fins for swimming; the best known is probably the largest, the emperor penguin.
Penguins are well-known worldwide for their apparently clumsy nature on land, where they can be observed waddling awkwardly in large colonies. All this changes, however, when penguins take to the water; there bodies are well-adapted by evolution to make them superb divers, moving at speed through the frigid Antarctic Ocean or warmer waters further north.
Penguins are subject to a substantial body of research work, as their health and survival rates could provide a good barometer for measuring climate change and how well they adapt to an increased human presence in their natural habitat.
Due to their slightly comic appearance, penguins have something of a presence in popular culture. Although films such as Batman Returns suggested that there was something rather sinister about these animals, the Penguin has a fairly good reputation; its image helps sell everything from a popular publisher's books to a long-standing brand of chocolate biscuit. They also act as mascots: the Linux operating system is supported by Tux the penguin, and the Norwegian Army has made one a regimental sergeant major.[1] Penguins often appear in children's entertainment; for example, Pingu is a popular animated character. Penguins have also made it at the cinema, with two recent releases: Happy Feet, aimed at younger moviegoers, and the controversial March of the Penguins,[2] which was intepreted by some conservative commentators as supporting their ideas about family values. Needless to say, penguins in fact exhibit the same ruthless streak as other animals who have to survive in harsh conditions and with limited resources.
Footnotes
- ↑ BBC News: 'Penguin picks up military honour'.
- ↑ Original French title: La Marche de l'Empereur ('The Emperor's March'). Director: Luc Jacquet. Some international releases follow the original French version in having actors voice the penguins themselves; the English version uses narration.