I recently heard a spot on the radio about Utah's Living Planet Aquarium--specifically, about the Gentoo penguins housed there. A representative talked about an adorable mating ritual the birds practice. So often, animals' habits and instincts are hard for us as humans to relate to (ahem, how your friend's dog greets you). It is delightful to find a practice that's so relatable.
The pets on the website mom.me explains it this way:
"Humans give flowers and candy when wooing a lady. Penguins give rocks. Not just any rocks, though -- male gentoo penguins search through piles of pebbles to find the smoothest, most perfect ones. When a penguin has selected his pebble, he presents it to his intended companion. If she approves, she puts the stone in her nest and the two are well on their way to becoming mommy and daddy birds. Pebbles are so important to the penguins that males often fight over the prettiest selections."
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