That's actually Curly over there. [She points at a little penguin who seems to be attempting a sort of '80s wormlike dance move while tentatively strutting toward a rather bored-looking couple.] What he's doing with his neck -- he's got it stretched out and he's parading around -- that's "bowing." They stretch their neck up and turn their head down.

That's how they flirt?

That's how they talk to each other. It's one of the body postures. Giovanni and Gomez are sitting with their backs to us. Curly just approached them and was like, "Hey, baby." And Gomez was like, "I don't think so."

Why they're sitting outside with the wind blowing, I'm not really sure. They should be inside.

This is cold for them?

It's a little windy. They're from South Africa.

What about the rest of the females? Are they in happy relationships?

They are in monogamous relationships, and they appear to be happy.

Do they show interest in Wendell and Cass that they would show to sister penguins? Any "Will and Grace" action in the pen?

No, they mostly stick with their mates. There's a few of the younger birds that you could call friends, but generally, once they pair-bond [mate monogamously for a full season], they just hang out in couples.

But the female penguins don't hit on Wendell and Cass?

No.

Does anyone?

No.

Why? Are they untouchable in some way? Would they get mad?

I don't know why the female penguins choose who they choose, or why the three females are having extramarital affairs, but they don't bother Wendell and Cass.

I read that Wendell and Cass have a particularly neat nest. Aren't females more attracted to potential mates with high-quality nests?

Possibly. The nest would show the fitness of the male and indicate that he's got a good location and he's going to be able to help the female out and keep her safe and provide her with young. And I would think that Wendell and Cass' nest was a prime nest site, and that the other females would be interested in it, but they don't seem to be.

Is it possible that they realize that Wendell and Cass are gay, and that they're not interested in offspring?

Any biologist will tell you that the purpose in getting together is to create young. But I don't know why they aren't interested in Wendell or Cass. This one other couple, Albert and Clarice, tries to get in their nest, though. This guy, Albert, sitting down front there, is one of a pair that tries to take it.

But Albert and Clarice are going for it as a couple, not because they're interested in Wendell and/or Cass. They just want the house.

Right.

What happens when Albert and Clarice try to take the nest?

Say, it's during a feeding, Albert and Clarice will run up to the nest and try to claim it. Wendell and Cass will come home and someone will just be there, waiting for them.

Do Wendell and Cass fight them off?

Cass mostly does the fighting. Sometimes they bite each other, or beat each other with their flippers. Wendell just runs away.

Why is Wendell and Cass' burrow considered prime real estate?

Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe because it's centrally located near the water and near the feeding station, two of the most important things for them.

How long have Wendell and Cass been living together up there?

Six or seven years.

And had they been with female penguins before?

Recent Stories