Why penguins give stones as gifts to females
The habits of penguins and the whole universe of curiosities surrounding these birds have fascinated mankind since time immemorial. Characterised by their particular appearance, their picturesque way of walking and, above all, their peculiar way of relating to other members of their group, the males of some penguin subspecies carry out surprising courtship rituals to achieve mating with females.
Did you imagine that penguins can "marry"? This question has become the focus of interesting debates by scientists around the world, as it has been discovered that these fascinating birds perform a courtship ritual similar to that traditionally performed by people to get engaged to each other.
In their case, instead of the usual engagement ring, the penguins give a pebble or polished rock to the female in their group with whom they hope to build a nest and mate. Surprisingly, this coincides with the symbolism that since ancient times has represented the love between two people and their commitment to join in marriage.
Why do penguins choose stones?
Aunque la información científica respecto a este fenómeno no es muy abundante, recientes investigaciones sobre el comportamiento de los pingüinos han permitido inferir que, debido a las condiciones de su hábitat, las pequeñas rocas que recolectan están destinadas a cubrir el suelo sobre el que construyen sus nidos, de forma que estas piedras mantienen los huevos por encima de la superficie una vez que sus colonias son invadidas por el derretimiento rápido de la nieve.
Although scientific information on this phenomenon is not very abundant, recent research on penguin behaviour has led to the inference that, due to the conditions of their habitat, the small rocks they collect are intended to cover the ground on which they build their nests, so that these stones keep the eggs above the water surface once their colonies are invaded by rapidly melting snow.
According to studies by LaCapria (2016), males are generally responsible for collecting rocks, either from the rocks in the environment they inhabit or from other nests in the colony. When they return to the female, they carry the rocks they have collected to their partner's feet, guarding the nest and the eggs, as a natural courtship gesture and as a sign that their journey is over.
Observation of this habit highlights the time a penguin spends collecting the stone that brings it close to its partner's feet, as they are intensely dedicated to finding the "ideal" stone within all the possibilities of their habitat.
Is this "gift" decisive for mating?
Other biologists who are experts in the study of species and their social attitudes - quoted by La Capria (2016) - have an opposite perception to this idealised and humanised view on the subject, concluding that the presentation of the pebble is not as important for mating between penguins as we tend to believe.
In relation to this animal species, LaCapria (2016) concludes that the female is the one who chooses her mate, being the one who imposes the conditions for courtship to begin. In other words, it is she who triggers the situation that results in both of them leaning in, grooming each other and familiarising themselves with the sounds the other makes. In this way, they can recognise each other and find each other easily in the crowd.
In any case, what is certain is that this ritual, which we tend to idealise and which we compare to the commitment of marriage between humans, has opened up the possibility that this species has become popular, making visible the problems faced by penguins in their habitats of origin. To a large extent, the interest awakened by these birds made it possible to recognise that, already in 2018, around ten different species were threatened by the effect of climate change that the planet was experiencing. On the other hand, the hand of man has progressively deteriorated the natural habitat conditions of these and other animals living in the environment.
Get to know the penguins at Selwo Marina
At Selwo Marina we promote the defence of the species that live with us on the planet. When visiting our facilities, and through close observation with birds, reptiles, fish, mammals, amphibians and invertebrates that inhabit our park, we raise awareness among our visitors about respect for the conservation of nature. In this sense, we consider that it is not only important our participation in European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP), with international coordination of the individuals of endangered species present in zoological institutions, but also how we can all do our bit for the preservation of the environment.
Selwo Marina's Ice Island is the only ice penguinarium in Andalusia, home to four species of penguins: the Magellanic penguin (Spheniscus magellanicus), the Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua), the Macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and the King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus), the second largest species. By visiting the park during the courtship season, you can watch for yourself as the males collect rocks and hand them over to the females, and form your own opinion as to why penguins give a rock to their mate!
As well as watching them walk on the ice, climb rocks and dive at great speed in the water, at Selwo Marina you can enjoy the Penguin Encounter interaction, where you will enter a cave in the distant Antarctic where you will be closer to them than ever before. It's an experience you will never forget!
Also, every day, the educational talk Meet the penguins, included with your ticket to the park, will reveal many more interesting facts about them. What are you waiting for to come and meet them?
Referencias
LaCapria, K. (2016, 2 junio). Do Male Penguins Make ‘Pebble Proposals’ to Their Mates? Snopes.Com. Retrieved 9 July 2022 from: https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/penguin-pebble-proposal/
