In case you’ve missed this amazing penguins news, there’s a rare black penguin that’s been spotted recently. The now famous photo of this all black penguin (aka melanistic penguin) was taken by Andrew Evans during his trip from Washington D.C. to Antarctica. For a few weeks now there has been a bit of talk about this really cool photo. At first glance I was sure it was another Photoshop joke. However, after reading the articles there’s no doubt this penguin is genuine. How awesome is that?
“He looked like a single black king moving across a chessboard of so many white pawns.” Evans said.
The penguin was spotted at Fortuna Bay on Antarctica’s Georgia Island which is
According to the National Geographic’s article, some travelers on this trip recalled also seeing the penguin at St. Andrew’s Bay.
“It’s a one-in-a-zillion mutation, scientists say.” ~CBANews.com
Nature usually takes care of animal abnormalities, so it’s been assumed that this unique penguin wouldn’t last long in the while. However, there are reports that this penguin has been spotted previously so he has obviously been around a while. Ted Cheeseman of Cheeseman Ecology Safaris shares his sighting of the all black penguin from January 2006.
What kind of penguin is this?
This is a King Penguin, and according to Evans reports, seems to be living just fine among his friends and family in the colony. He may even have a mate.
What is a Melanistic penguin?
National Geographic describes melanistic as “Melanism is merely the dark pigmentation of skin, fur–or in this case, feathers. The unique trait derives from increased melanin in the body.”.
Read the full story about the Rare All Black Penguin at National Geographic
Where is South Georgia Island?
East of South America in the Atlantic Ocean.
More black penguin photos – hunting around the web I came across more instances of black penguins, here’s what I’ve found:
From Black penguin comments on Freerepublic.com. It looks like an Adelie Penguin to me, what do you think? I think maybe this one is simply a baby who’s white feathers haven’t developed just yet… see the white speckles on either side of its belly?
More comments and coverage for this story:
Story of Rare Black Penguin National Geographic
All-Black Penguin Is One-in-a-Zillion CBS News
All Black Penguin Discovered Treehugger.com