Penguins are not only cute creatures that are funny on ice, but also real romance! Their tradition to give a pebble partner as a sign of love conquered the hearts of millions. IA EAOMEDIA understands that it is behind this touching ritual and why the pebbles are so important.
It all starts with the choice of the perfect pebble. Penguins, especially the species, like Ales or Subantarctic, are wandering around the beach for hours in search of the most smooth and beautiful stone and this is not a random choice. The pebble should be perfect, because he shows how much a partner is ready to invest in a relationship. When the male finds a suitable stone, he solemnly brings him to his chosen one and puts it at her feet. If she accepts a gift, this is a sign of consent to “marriage”. Penguins become a couple, often for life. Such a union is fastened not only with feelings, but also by a common goal – to build a nest and grow chicks.
Why a pebble? In the Antarctic, where the soil is covered with ice, stones are a rarity and valuable building material for nests. Penguins use them to protect eggs from cold and water. Giving a stone, the male shows that he is able to take care of the future of the family. It’s as if a person gave not just a ring, but a whole apartment! Moreover, the penguins are monogamous: many couples remain together for years, returning to each other every season. If the partner takes a pebble, she reciprocates – and the couple begins to build a nest, exchanging with delicate gestures, such as beaks touches.
