Readers Digest
Magazine subscription Podcast
HomeInspireAnimals & Pets

10 Facts that prove penguins are the world’s cutest animals

10 Facts that prove penguins are the world’s cutest animals

We already knew penguins were flipping wonderful, but these 10 facts cement their place as nature's most adorable waddlers. This is why penguins are the coolest birds around. 

Little blue penguin. Image via Fredrik Graas

The smallest penguin species is the Little Blue penguin which stands at just 16 inches tall

 

 

penguin fossils
Image via Wired

The earliest penguin fossils place them some 60 million years ago. This means a tougher ancestor of today’s cuddly birds survived the extinction of the dinosaurs.

 

 

penguin couple
Image via Cater News

Though it varies by species, most penguins mate for life, returning to the same partner season after season.

 

 

fat penguin
Image via Flickr 

In certain penguin species, it is the male who incubates the egg while the females disappear to hunt, sometimes for weeks at a time. For this reason, chubby males are the most desirable because they can best survive her absence.

 

 

penguin jump

While swimming, penguins leap in shallow arcs above the surface of the water—a technique dubbed porpoising. Some scientists theorise that they make these leaps out of sheer joy.

 

 

penguin waddle

Penguins are not sexually dimorphic, meaning the male and female look alike.

 

 

penguin belly

When penguins slide on their bellies it is called tobogganing. Researchers believe they do this both for fun and as an efficient way to travel.

 

 

penguins pebbles
Image via MindGoCrazy

Different penguins have different ways of attracting sexual partners. Gentoo penguins carefully select a pebble as a gift whereas King Penguins sing long songs with their mates.

 

 

prehistoric penguins

Prehistoric penguins were very large, growing to almost the same height and weight as humans.

 

 

penguin waddle

A group of penguins in the sea is called a raft, a group on land is called a waddle. 

 

Bonus! We dare you not to smile at these adorable penguin bloopers:

 

 

Obviously there is lots of penguin toys, gifts, ornaments you can purchase for that visual reminder of how cute they are.

*This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you. Read our disclaimer

Loading up next...
Stories by email|Subscription
Readers Digest

Launched in 1922, Reader's Digest has built 100 years of trust with a loyal audience and has become the largest circulating magazine in the world

Readers Digest
Reader’s Digest is a member of the Independent Press Standards Organisation (which regulates the UK’s magazine and newspaper industry). We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. If you think that we have not met those standards, please contact 0203 289 0940. If we are unable to resolve your complaint, or if you would like more information about IPSO or the Editors’ Code, contact IPSO on 0300 123 2220 or visit ipso.co.uk