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Showing posts with label endangered species. Show all posts
Showing posts with label endangered species. Show all posts

Tuesday, 21 March 2023

The Games that Elephants Play Where the Wild is Not the Limit

The Games that Elephants Play Where the Wild is Not the Limit

Elephant Games: More Than Just Trunk Twisting!


Do you want to learn more about how elephants play and socialize with their families and herds? Elephants are known for their close bonds and love for playing in open grasslands, but did you know that they also find amusement in any object or activity that catches their interest? As humans, we still have much to learn about these beautiful creatures and their behavior in the wild and in captivity.



From their first steps as baby elephants to splashing in nearby rivers and watersheds, games involving mother elephants are crucial for young elephants to develop and grow. Have you ever seen elephants jumping on each other in the water or getting fully submerged to cool off in the scorching sun? With their six major muscles, elephants use their trunks to show affection, play games of catching and throwing, and even twist objects they find in their natural habitat.

Elephants Just Want to Have Fun: The Importance of Play


But how do elephants know when to play and when to avoid others? With their cute sense of smell, elephants can detect moods and even sense trouble in the air.

Learn more about the fascinating world of elephant play and socialization, and discover why the African red elephants of Tsavo are such a unique and photogenic sight.


Elephants have been known to have a very close bond to their families or elephant herd. Keeping this in mind just as human beings, socialization is just part of these beautiful animals.  Playing in the open grass lands is what elephants do but when you come to think of it, much as they would love to do it in the open, elephants will find interest in any thing which will amuse them and thereby make use of it while the fun gains momentum.

Elephants at Play: Making the Most of Life in the Wild

How much or what would it take elephants to gear up and start playing their games? This is just one question which we humans have yet to understand as we have just very little knowledge with all the elephant research which has been carried out in trying to understand the African and the Asian elephants on how these beautiful creatures behave while in the wild and while in captivity as well. As the baby elephants take their first stem after plunging on the hard ground when they a e born, taking that first step in their life is just as crucial as it is for the elephant heard making the elephant train across the wilderness in may of the African plains and protected national parks and game reserves.


With every inch of the spent in its early life, many games involving the mother elephants take place while the elephants are eating or just taking that plunge in the nearby river or watershed. Spectacular splashing of water is just what elephants like to do. Jumping on one another in the water among the young elephants is a game which elephants like to play and to crown it all nothing is more fun that getting fully submerged in the water or just sitting down in the scorching sun enjoying the water in places where water is in plenty for the elephants. With little or scarcity of water in many of the forest or regions of the world, elephants just prefer to take a birth in the shallow or muddy water they can find, Where do you thing the name African red elephants of Tsavo came from?




The rich red volcanic soil along the Tsavo area is just the perfect red soil to turn a gray African elephant to an amazing pure photogenic red elephant worth a million bucks amazing safari photograph. Its always amazing to see the different elephants playing not just according o their age group but as a herd within their natural boundaries.  These elephant games which seen not to have a clear code of ethics is just one of its kind. With a s little effort or with as much effort needed, these amazing huge elephants can be as hard on one another and as caring while playing their own games as any other wild animal who wants to socialize and to get along with others depending the weather and the nature of festivity. 

Fun and Games with Elephants: You Won't Believe Your Trunks!

Blessed with their six major muscles elephants use their trunks to show affection and to convey any kind of communication only understood by the elephants. The elephant trunk is just the perfect tool for playing games of catching and throwing, some of the elephant games include twisting of objects they find within their natural habitat and breeding grounds while at the same time trumpeting and bellowing to show dissatisfaction and satisfaction as well.


With more or less extra sensory perception, these elephants with a very cute sense of smell can just detect when to play games or when not to be around other elephants depending on their moods as well. As they say, if there s trouble in the air, the elephants can smell it. If there is rain, the elephant can smell it.

Elephant games and socialization in the wild and captivity

















Discover the fascinating world of elephant play and socialization! Learn about their close bonds, love for games, and use of trunks for catching and throwing. Explore the unique behavior of African and Asian elephants in the wild and in captivity, and understand the importance of bonding and socialization for their growth and development.




#elephants #play #socialization #bonding #trunks #AfricanElephants #AsianElephants #wildlife #animalbehavior #catchandthrow

Tuesday, 9 June 2020

The African Small Cats; Beautiful dangerous African Serval

The African Small Cats; Beautiful dangerous African Serval







The African serval is a small, slender cat with long legs, a lean body, and a small head. Its extra-long neck gives it the nickname "giraffe cat." The cat's coat is brown with black lines and spots while its belly is a soft white. Native to the grasslands of Africa, the serval's colors allow it to seemingly disappear in the thick grass. Unlike many other cat species, this small feline loves to climb, leap, and play in water. 


It vocalizes using shrill cries and mews, but the serval can growl and purr, too. Servals are crepuscular to avoid the heat of the day, although they also hunt at night when needed. The cats often share their savanna habitat with caracals and may compete with them for prey.



Wait and see is the serval's main hunting strategy.  It waits in the tall grass, using its huge ears to listen for approaching prey before pouncing on its meal. Instead of running down a target like a cheetah would, the serval takes a giant leap up into the air and then forces its body weight down upon the victim, trapping it beneath the front paws until the cat can deliver a deadly bite to the neck. This method is efficient and quick.



The serval has a varied diet, eating birds, reptiles, frogs, and large insects.  Standing on its hind legs, a serval can jump more than 9 feet (2.7 meters) straight up to grab birds right out of the air! But small rodents are its most frequent prey item, and servals don't hesitate to reach a long leg down into a rodent's burrow to snatch a meal out of the tunnel! With its many hunting styles, varied diet, and fantastic hearing, the serval is well equipped to be the most successful predator of all the cats.



Servals do not have a specific breeding season, and even though a male's home range may overlap those of several females, they live separately most of the year.  Males may sometimes rest together during the day in small groups, but otherwise they are solitary.



The female serval raises her kittens alone, usually three kittens to a litter. They live in a den made of tall, thick grass, and the mother leaves her kittens most of the day while she hunts for food, returning to stay with them at night.  She accepts the presence of her female kittens longer than that of male kittens: once the boys can hunt for themselves they are no longer welcome at home.  Daughters usually stay with their mother until they are about two years old. In the wild, female servals in overlapping ranges are often related to one another.



Staying wild


Some people think it would be fun to own a wild or exotic cat. This has led to a serval cross-breed cat called the "savanna cat": a captive-raised serval bred with a domestic cat.  Wild animals, even those born in zoos, keep their wild instincts for hundreds, even thousands, of years. It took thousands of years to domesticate "tame" dogs, cats, sheep, and cattle by selective breeding for certain traits. Special permits are required for trained experts or zoos to own or house wild servals, and it is against the law in some states to own savanna cats.



Servals in the wild are not considered endangered except for one subspecies, the North African serval Leptailurus serval constantinus. However, like all wild animals, serval populations can be harmed by habitat loss, global climate change, and hunting for their beautiful fur. It takes the skins of many servals to produce one coat. Fortunately, in many parts of the world the wearing of animal-skin coats for fashion is no longer popular.




Servals are important to their human neighbors because they catch rodents, which carry diseases and contaminate food supplies. With fewer than 300 servals in zoos around the world and less than 150 in United States zoos, getting to know this beautiful feline is a special treat for any animal lover!



Facts about Serval


• The serval has the longest legs and largest ears for its body size of any cat.

• Ancient Egyptians worshipped the serval for its power and grace.

• Servals are perhaps the best hunters in the cat world. While other wild cats are successful in just one of every five or six attempts to kill prey, servals make a kill in about half of all tries.

• The name serval comes from a Portuguese word meaning "wolf deer."

• Other nicknames for the serval are "bush cat" and "giraffe cat


Tuesday, 28 August 2012

Endangered Animals Of Africa

Endangered Animals Of Africa


A majestic African elephant stands tall in the savanna,
its trunk raised high in the air. This iconic creature is a
symbol of strength, wisdom, and resilience.

Endangered Species, Endangered Future: Preserving Africa's Wildlife

Discover the endangered animals of Africa and learn how you can help protect these amazing creatures from extinction. Our guide covers everything from rhinos to lions and provides actionable steps you can take to make a difference.

The wilds of Africa are home to some of the most magnificent creatures on earth, but unfortunately, many of them are endangered. From the regal African elephant to the elusive black rhino, these animals are facing significant threats to their survival. But what can we do to help? It's time to take action and raise awareness about the importance of protecting these endangered animals.

Join the fight to save the African wild dog, whose populations are dwindling due to habitat loss and disease. Or, rally behind the majestic cheetah, whose numbers are declining as their habitats are destroyed and they fall victim to poaching. And let's not forget about the gentle giants of the savannah, the giraffe, who are also facing serious threats.

Fierce and Endangered: Protecting Africa's Predators


We can all make a difference in the lives of these incredible animals by supporting conservation efforts and sustainable tourism. By booking a responsible safari, you can help protect habitats and support local communities. And, by learning more about these animals and spreading the word, we can raise awareness and work towards a brighter future for Africa's endangered species.

Let's do our part to ensure that future generations can witness the beauty and majesty of these creatures in the wild. Join the movement to protect Africa's endangered animals and make a positive impact on the world. The clock is ticking, and we must act now before it's too late.

Many parts of this planet were blessed with an abundant flora and fauna. With mechanization and the onset of industrialization, these born free animals and the natural vegetation stated to be depleted as a result of human activity and what was the end phenomenon, the extinction or near extinction of most of the animal and plant species. On the other hand, an endangered species is any species of animal or plant threatened with extinction as a result of the ongoing human activities to nature.

The African Safari SOS: Saving Endangered Species


Pollution and the spillover effect destruction of habitats is the single and the greatest threat to many species around the world. Man has overexploited many of the animal and plant species and degraded most of the animal habitat and the ecology of many natural vegetation around the world. On the other hand,  the natural habitat degradation due to human activities is also part of the main cause for losses in biodiversity and may effects which results in many dangerous animal attacks.

Common Name                        Location
Addax                                         North Africa
African Wild Ass                       Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan
African Wild Dog                     East Africa, West Africa, Central & South Africa
Asian elephant                         Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, Malaysia, Bali,
Aye-aye                                    Malagasy Republic (Madagascar)
Barbary Serval                        Algeria
Black Rhinoceros                    East Africa, West Africa, Central & South Africa
Cameroon Clawless Otter     Cameroon, Nigeria
Cheetah                                   Africa  and South Asian counties
Chimpanzee                            African countries
Clarke's Gazelle                      Ethiopia, Somalia and Sudan
Coquerel's Sifaka                                 Madagascar
Cuvier's Gazelle                                   Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia
Dama Gazelle                                       Africa
Dorcas Gazelle                                 Algeria, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Somalia                                       Dugong                                               East Africa Mauritius, Sri Lanka Southern Japan
Ethiopian Wolf                                    Ethiopia
Fork-crowned Lemur                          Madagascar
Golden jackal                                       Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh
Hairy-eared Dwarf Lemur                  Madagascar
Leopard                                                Africa, Asia, Middle East
Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat            Madagascar
Mediterranean Monk Seal                Mediterranean Sea, North African  Black Sea
Mountain Zebra                                  Namibia, South Africa, Angola, Botswana
Pygmy Chimpanzee                             Congo Brazzavile Democratic Republic of Congo
Pygmy Mouse Lemur                          Madagascar
Red-eared Nose-spotted Monkey     Cameroon, Fernando Po, Nigeria
Rodrigues Fruit Bat                              Indian Ocean (Rodrigues Island)
Sand Cat                                                Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East
Slender-horned Gazelle                      Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sudan
Striped Hyena                                       Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, Europe
Western Giant Eland                            Senegal, Nigeria, Benin, Ghana,  Ivory Coast
Western Lowland Gorilla                     Central and Western Africa countries
White-throated Guenon                     Western Nigeria
Zanzibar Suni                                         Zanzibar and pemba islands


Dangerous animals protection

 As far as animal facts and figures are concerned, statewide survey on animals conducted found that 71% of all New York State rescue groups surprisingly had been turned away by many of the shelter groups and with reasons best known to them had gone forward and killed the very same animals they had offered to save.

 "There are tens of thousands of animals in New York State shelters waiting to be adopted and most are healthy, well-behaved and just in need of a loving home," Assembly Member Kellner said. "When a humane organization volunteers to take these animals, they should not be denied. A shelter should work with them to the fullest extent possible. States like California and Delaware have already passed similar legislation, and now it is time for New York to step up to the plate."

Conservation is Cool: Helping Endangered Animals in Africa


With the advent  of time and general with many animal attacks on the rise, animal rights awareness being on the forefront as animal safety and awareness is being achieved at a snail speed the modern society has pondered and questions arise if  there is  a future  for all animal rescue, adoption, education and protection?

Animal rescue, adoption, education and protection
 As far as the media is concerned of 19th May 20011, The Jeanne Marching Vet Training was inaugurated. The Jeanne M Marching International Center for Animals Welfare Education was to be part of the University of Edinburgh's Royal (Dick)School of Veterinary study for veterinary Study.


Since its main aim of the project was to extend its collaborate with its international partners with the aim of  delivering a  wide range educational initiatives catering for different people and cultures in different parts of the world.

Lions and Rhinos and Elephants, Oh My! Protecting Africa's Endangered Animals


With the diverse of  different animal species from different animal  habitat, this initiative was geared to give all loving animal  people power to all the veterinary  students too work all over the world as the core objective was to create and strengthen education on animal welfare for its students and thereby creating awareness and bring about the forum which would  be geared to spear head all animal rescue, adoption, education and protection and any other animal related  issues for the days to come. Political debate on animal welfare and protection issues were to be part and parcel of the centers involvement.


Africa's big five protection a clash with African Safari


 On the African continent on Wednesday, May 18 2011, it was reported that Cattle and wildlife clash over tourism. Tourism as far as Kenya is concerned was among the second foreign exchange earner and for the county.



 With the frequent time to time clashes over animal habitat which had been encroached and people property were lost and dangerous animal attacks and encounters were reported, the sheer allure of huge incomes from tourism had created panic among livestock farmers and traders in TaitaTaveta County.


 The Kenyan Government schemes to set up disease free zones in the native habitat where the Masaai live along with the Kenya big five  to boost livestock farming especially for the lucrative export market had  hang in the balance as ranchers had no alternative but to set their sights instead on the value of conservancies.

A Call to Action: Safeguarding Africa's Endangered Wildlife


The official said turning the ranches into conservancies which to the world at large in terms of preservation of animals for the future was to be part of the conservation of endangered species and rare species of animals while on the contrary this would prove to be a very big blow to the Government’s plans but if that is what the owners wanted there was very little that could be done.


The majestic African Wild Dog only found mainly in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Somalia, Malawi South Africa and a few other countries in of the Sub-Saharan Africa. With very few African wild dogs remaining, these endangered animals are protected by law and can only be hunted with special permission. The Black Rhinoceros just as the African Rhino is considered an endangered species and on the brink of extinction in may parts of Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, and Angola where their number used to be plenty. This dangerous animal species has made come back thanks to the ongoing conservation in the sub Saharan Africa and many parts of the world.

Don't Be a Stranger: Get Involved in Protecting Africa's Wildlife


With plenty of the African Cheetah research going on, the number of cheetah in East Africa where there is plenty of wild animals to attack and feed on, the African cheetah which is regarded as the fastest land animal in the world is part of the endangered species list. With little range to search for food and the demise of its territory and reported attacks, there are cases where animal water holes have been poisoned in order to stamp out or wipe out some of the dangerous animals to man.



Ethiopian Wolf only found in Ethiopia and the northern parts of Kenya is an exotic species of its own in the Ethiopian peninsula. With less than 300 in number, the Ethiopian wolf with very huge difference unlike the snow wolf and the ray wolf. This wolf species has undergone worse as far as its general feeding grounds are concerned. It has managed to withstand extreme weather conditions, diseases, and the general population as a whole.


 One of the most dangerous animals which is feared by other animals mainly for its ability to crack bones with a single bite is no other than the Hyena.  Lions, tigers, cheetahs and leopards always fear this animal when it searches for food. As far as its cousin  “The Striped Hyena” which inhabits; Asia in areas of Pakistan, Bhutan, Africa, and the Middle East; Algeria, Arabian Peninsula, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, Somalia, Syria, Tunisia and many parts of Europe is facing the same fate unless drastic actions are taken to conserve this stripped hyena before it becomes extinct.


The Myth behind animal attack in the modern world.

 Wild animals attacks on humans by endangered animals  such as lions, tigers, elephants, alligators, crocodiles, bears, snakes, mountain lions and all animals that are in the endangered species list have caused harm to people, property and the environment and above all have  become more common as people and animals start sharing the same animal and human habitat.

As many people continue to occupy the animal’s world, many animal attacks will continue to rise as both plants and animals’ environment will continue to be destroyed from the Arctic polar bears to the dangerous poisonous snakes of Africa and Asia. People who love animals know what it takes to raise animals. Many animal loving people know that animals have feelings and they need love and a family too.

When the CAARA was formed in the USA, it was geared to undertake comprehensive measures that would go beyond giving rescue groups the access to take care of animals. The knowledge about animals and animal health qualifications and guidelines were it sets for both animal shelters and rescue groups as a whole. Outlining the responsibilities of those who work directly with the animals will help ensure that the animals receive proper care. These provisions ensure that animals are given fresh food and water on a daily basis, exercise and socialization with other animals, clean living environments, and prompt veterinary care.

"Animal loving Americans would be shocked to know the reality of what's happening in our nation's shelters– including abuse, horrific conditions and unnecessary killings," says Debi Day, Director of No Kill Nation.


"Most shelters are mired in the status quo and unwilling to change, so CAARA is designed to mandate lifesaving policies at these facilities, and ensure safety, proper care and a chance at a good home for all shelter pets. We are thrilled that this legislation has been introduced in New York, as well as elsewhere across the US. CAARA is a crucial step on our road to a No Kill Nation."

Benefits of animal attacks, animal fights and mauling

 Many pictures of animals including dangerous animal attacks have been portrayed or caught on video depicting dangerous  animals mauling people, many animal attacks indifferent parts of the world and in the normal natural animal environment while to some extent innocent people and zoo keepers fine themselves attacked by zoo animals.


The African animals including the big five, the great sea animals such as the great white shark and not forgetting the Australian dangerous crocodiles, alligators and snakes have come to the limelight of being some of the most dangerous animals facts. The top dangerous animals have always lived to their expectations and the same animals have now become animals in danger.


Despite the fact that there is always awareness as to where to get animals information, the national geographic society has done extensive research on animals around the world. According to animal attack statistics, it’s amazing now to see recent stories all over the world to hear   animals abuse, pet attacks, and dog attacks and recently in India where it was caught live on video animals.


When animals attack on humans is aired on TV, this is the time when others are inspired to make animal games while to some extent funny animal videos which are humorous and very graphic animal pictures and animal photos come up In the end, you find all breath taking Oscar wining animal attack movies and armature home made animal attacks movies on you tube which can be easily accessed.

Adapting with nature from different animal attacks.

 For the scientist, there is always a new way of finding why different animal attack takes place in different environment whether it is a provoked attack or a nun provoked attack the beginning. Different animal species with their evolved natural habitat and surroundings always determine the provocation and the intent of the attack.

On the other hand, for the people who love dogs, snakes, lions, bears, monkeys just to mention a few you get that  many of them have kept them as pets while to some its just a mere necessity as a watchdog without prior knowledge of how to take care of dogs and other pets as well. What is the ramification, you find that expensive unwanted dog bite lawsuits and people seeking the services of dog bite attorneys are also on the rise.

Most government has come up with different animal attack laws and animal attack compensation so that both the owner and the person attacked by animals are protected by law. Should the dog be blamed for such an animal attack just because it’s a dangerous animal, should the dog or animal owner be punished because proper care and animal precaution and protection was not take care of? How about people who provoke the animal both knowingly or  unknowingly.


A good guess would be many of these animal attacks are so sudden such that there is always no time to foresee such animal encounters until they happen. Children who are bystanders or just inquisitive to play or the seemingly harmless dog just end up being the victim of animal attacks which could be very fatal

The Pros and Cons
 In the recent news posted on the Hindu Times dated 15th May, the Indian Government announced the compensation to its people of all walk of life and mainly to the kin of people killed in attacks by wild animals as there have been devastating recent incidents which had prompted such a move for those people who are faced with permanent disability, deaths of domestic animals and crop loss as a result of the deadly and dangerous animal attacks which had come to be part of human rights and the need for the protection of the same dangerous animals roaming the jungles of Asia.

As far as the legality and the do and don’ts regarding the compensation and payments are concerned, the Order clearly state that the compensated amount of money will be handed over to the victims of the animal attacks if the person or people died, or those who got permanent disability or were injured during the event while they were in a restricted area or land which belonged to the government while the same goes to the loss of crops and farm animals too.


The persons killed during the animal attack incident  should not have indulged in unlawful activities in forest or restricted and protected natural habitat areas. Since curiosity killed the cat, you get that in this world which we are living in, survival for the fittest is always the order of the day. Man has evolved from being a hunter and a gatherer to sophisticate all rounded egoistic being looking for greener pastures in the rain forest, savannah, prairies and the pampas   where he is not intended to, there by exploiting and destroying our beautiful flora and fauna.


There are numerous cases where animals have become extinct and very rare animal species are becoming extinct due to poaching hunting, wild fires and as a result of global warming and the loss of wild animals breeding grounds. The ecological misbalance as a result of the food chain has districted the natural food cycle of many of the animal species. Rare species of animals are on the brink of being wiped out and the list of endangered species keep on rising.


Despite the fact that there is always a very big hue and cry from different animal rights groups and animal rescue and animal shelter groups you find that such animal attacks take place in these localities hence a certified medical doctor should ascertain and confirm during post-mortem that the death was caused by a wild animal attack. With difficult scarce resources to investigate the cause of death in many third world countries, many incidences are not reported due to fear of being  found to be the culprit or on the wrong by the concerned agencies whereas you get that for those who are in this business, this is the price they will always have to pay. Since man has not been able to understand the really secrets of nature and all its wild animals mythology, it’s the common person who ends up being devastated by wild animals.


If you find yourself being in the migratory rout of the Canadian Bison, Kenyan wildebeest and the Indian jumbo elephant makes you prone to animal attack. In many third world countries where majority of the communities are agrarian nomadic pastoralists all or almost all dwellings are not permanent houses, you find that most farmers’ dwellings offer little protection over animal attacks. Thus you find that many people find themselves vulnerable and if a mud or grass thatched house, animal, water shed, pump house, pipeline or fence is damaged in a wild elephant attack, the owner will be paid and for loss of cattle and other domestic animals too

Animal protection. A new chapter for endangered species.

 Since there has been a lot of  animal protection programs in may countries, animal parks, animal shelters and animal sanctuaries have been able to bring all endangered and rare species loser to man.


The big question come where by are people or have people been able to bring the same natural habitat into the zoos and animal sanctuaries which does not affect their living space as they would have been in the wild? These animals have now started to be on the animal watch list of endangered species and most of the endangered animals have been bred and released back in the nature. With the increased awareness of animal rights and protection policies in many social institutions in many countries, many beautiful land and sea  animals like crocodiles, foxes and monkeys in India weren’t that plenty.


As hunting and the demand for animal hides and skins and other different animal parts just to mention a few has led to the decline of such animal species to be wiped out. At the same time, flooding and changes in the environment have resulted in many animals finding themselves in new animal habitats. Are we to blame in such changes in our natural environment. Well animals have to adapt to it as we get to know these animals as time goes by.

Changing weather conditions rise with animal attack

Despite the boom in these animals, many localities and states continued to prevent and to label some of the animals as endangered species. Feeding of Foxes, Coyotes, bears and wild dogs say an increase in such animal population due to the easy availability of food which didn’t have any competition. With the changing climate conditions, most animals have been forces to look for water over long distances and that’s where nature collides with man.










































#endangeredanimals #Africa #conservation #wildlife #rhinos #lions #extinction #protect #vulnerablespecies #safari #savetheanimals #actnow #animalrights #wildlifeconservation #animalwelfare

Sunday, 26 August 2012

South Africa Little Amazing Amazing Penguin Animal Pictures

South Africa Little Amazing Amazing Penguin Animal Pictures


Penguins seem to have no special fear of humans, and have approached groups of explorers without hesitation. This is probably because penguins have no land predators in Antarctica or the nearby offshore islands. Instead, penguins are at risk at sea from predators such as the leopard seal. 

Typically, penguins do not approach closer than about 3 meters (10 ft) at which point they become nervous. This is also the distance that Antarctic tourists are told to keep from penguins (tourists are not supposed to approach closer than 3 meters, but are not expected to withdraw if the penguins come closer).


Penguins are popular around the world, primarily for their unusually upright, waddling gait and (compared to other birds) lack of fear of humans. Their striking black-and-white plumage is often



likened to a tuxedo suit. Mistakenly, some artists and writers have penguins based at the North Pole. This is incorrect, as there are almost no wild penguins in the northern hemisphere, except the small group on the northernmost of the GalĂ¡pagos. The cartoon series Chilly Willy helped perpetuate this myth, as the title penguin would interact with northern-hemisphere species such as polar bears and walruses.



Penguins have been the subject of many books and films such as Happy Feet, Surf's Up and The Penguins of Madagascar, all CGI films; March of the Penguins, a documentary based on the migration process of the Emperor Penguin; and a parody titled Farce of the Penguins. Mr. Popper's Penguins is a children's book written by Richard & Florence Atwater; it was named a Newbery Honor Book in 1939. Penguins have also found their way into a number of cartoons and television dramas; perhaps the most notable of these is Pingu, created by Silvio Mazzola in 1986 and covering more than 100 short episodes. Entertainment Weekly put it on its end-of-the-decade, "best-of" list, saying, 


"Whether they were walking (March of the Penguins), dancing (Happy Feet), or hanging ten (Surf's Up), these oddly adorable birds took flight at the box office all decade long
The tendency of penguins to form large groups feeds the stereotype that they all look exactly alike, a popular notion exploited by cartoonists such as Gary Larson.



Penguins featured regularly in the cartoons of UK cartoonist Steve Bell in his strip in The Guardian Newspaper, particularly during and following the Falklands War.


In the mid-2000s, penguins became one of the most publicized species of animals that form lasting homosexual couples. A children's book, And Tango Makes Three, was written about one such penguin family in the New York Zoo.