Mambo with Mumble

Since I made the announcement that I have once again been plagued with writer's block, I have received several suggestions, ranging from serious to comical. So, my next few postings will be dedicated to the topics so kindly suggested by my faithful readers. Please do not hesitate to continue sending suggestions, all are welcome! If you suggest it I will write about it!

In 1964, they were featured in their own song and dance number, side by side with Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. In 2005, we saw them successfully (sort of) commandeer a ship bound for Kenya, thereby marooning a troop of unlikely zoo animals together on an island nation. We've seen them march. We've heard them sing. We've watched them dance. Yes, dear World. I am talking about Penguins.

If you ever doubt that the creator of the universe has a sense of humor, just hop in the trusty old jalopy and head for your Zoo's penguin exhibit. They are perpetually dressed in tuxedos. They have no neck to speak of, and their feet seem to protrude directly from their torso, giving them their characteristic waddle. They have wings, but can't fly, and seem more comfortable zipping through the ocean, than waddling about on dry ground.

I remember, when I was in elementary school, our class took a field trip to the zoo, just around the time they opened the penguin exhibit. I was enthralled (even though they smelled terrible). So much so, that as we were leaving for the day, I couldn't resist buying a stuffed animal penguin. I named him Oreo.

What I find fascinating is that Penguins are almost always portrayed as musicians or dancers in the movies. I suppose that this stems from the fact that the black of their plumage is so sharply contrasted by the white of their bellies and chests, making it seem as though they're always dressed for a party. I find this fascinating because of the sheer impossibility of a penguin being able to dance. They don't really have legs! They just have feet! Haha. Perhaps that's what makes them so endearing.

Now for the facts. There are 17 species of penguins, the largest of which being the Emperor penguin. It is the Emperor penguin that is featured in the movie Happy Feet, in the character of Mumble. Did you know that adult Emperor penguins can grow to about 3 feet 7 inches tall? Omg. That's the size of a small child! As ridiculous as it may sound, if I ever saw one of those things waddling towards me, I'd probably run screaming in the opposite direction.  3 feet is just a little too big for a bird!

Now, when most of us think of penguins, our minds automatically take us to the Arctic. Glaciers. Ice. Snow. You get my drift. You might then, be surprised to learn that some species of penguins, the Galapagos Penguin, specifically, live very close to the Equator. Along with this, you may also be shocked to learn that penguins do not live in the North Pole. So, the Christmas time pictures you see of the Coca Cola bear with penguins has actually helped perpetuate this mistaken belief. So now you know. Polar bears make their homes in the Northern Hemisphere and penguins make theirs in the Southern. It is unlikely they would meet without some kind of human intervention.

Pretty interesting, huh? So, now, if there's ever a lull in the conversation at a dinner party, you can wow the other guests in attendance with your vast knowledge on Penguins!

Thank you Mike for the topic!!