The Penguin Prostitutes
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Prostitution may be the "oldest profession", but it is apparently not limited to humans. Australia's ABC News has reported a wildlife expert as saying that he has witnessed the practice among the Adelie penguins of the Antarctic coast.
Adelies build their nests from small stones, which are therefore highly prized at breeding time in colonies as big as the one pictured. Theft of stones is common, but some entrerprising females have hit on a new way of getting hold of a supply.
On the fringes of the colony, the young males who have not yet found a mate are doubtless sexually frustrated, but they have the advantage of ready access to large numbers of stones from outside the colony. They therefore collect piles of the best stones, with which they buy sexual favours from the breeding females who visit them with the sole purpose of getting hold of a stone. The going rate appears to be one good stone per shag.
In this trade, everyone's a winner. Except perhaps for the male penguin back at the nest who might be wondering (a) why the missus is looking so VERY pleased with herself when she gets back with a stone, (b) why she has taken so long getting it, and (c) why she keeps complaining about a headache when he suggests that they have an early night.
(Source: Private Eye No. 1205)
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Do you suppose penguins would have a red-light district and do they get pimped?
Well, Ben, I suppose the red-light district is at the edge of the colony where the ladies do business and the young blades are ready with the readies. The ladies seem to be perfectly able to conduct business on their account, so there's no need for pimps. Anyway, as trade is done one stone at a time, and the average Adelie penguin has yet to learn the art of operating a band saw, it might prove difficult to pay the pimp his cut!
Very funny - I love your writing!
Interesting. So if penguins practice prostitution, it's likely other animals engage in it. Of course, some may argue whether what the penguins do really fits the definition.
Humans do this too...diamonds are a type of pebble.
Hey this is something that I never heard til one of my friends read this in cosmo's magazine. it also stated that deer masterbate just we do. that is crazy but true!
Awesome
quotations Level 3 Commenter 3 years ago
And I thought penguins looked so classy in their little tuxedoes. How scandalous.