If you’ve ever seen a penguin, you’ve probably experienced the strangest urge to hug it. I feel the same way, too. Most humans have an instinct to cuddle or squeeze soft and fluffy things — in this case, it’s penguins.
Let’s find out whether this is a good idea or not, though.
Read on to find out if you can hug a penguin…
Here’s Why You Cannot Hug a Penguin:
Penguins are generally social animals when it comes to meeting other penguins. However, when it comes to humans or other animals on land, they are typically anti-social.
They also typically live in remote areas. Meaning they’re not that used to people. That’s why getting friendly with them may not be a good idea.
If you try to give them a hug, this can make them feel threatened, and you will risk getting bitten or pecked at. Their beaks are very sharp, and you can easily get hurt with just one small stab.
I know this is really disappointing news. Penguins are simply so adorable that it’s hard to believe you’re not supposed to hug them.
Penguins are typically not dangerous and can even be considered friendly.
Still, they are wild animals and should be treated with the respect wildlife deserves. Observe and admire them from a safe distance, and maybe, if you’re lucky, they will come a bit closer to investigate you.
Can You Pet Penguins?
Before you go looking for emperor penguins to hug, hear me out. Even though some penguin species may allow human touch, it still isn’t a good idea to touch or try to pet one without supervision. Apart from their very tough beaks, they also have incredibly powerful wings or flippers.
A penguin’s flipper is so powerful that it can fracture a human bone, so it’s best not to get too close to a penguin in the wild. You’ll only risk getting smacked and going straight to the emergency room — all for the price of wanting to touch one.
How Does It Feel Like to Hug a Penguin?
All right then. Now that we’ve established that you can’t simply hug a penguin when you want to, I will at least describe what it’s like to hug one — it feels like hugging a bag full of sand.
You’ve read that correctly. A penguin’s body is super strong, that’s why it feels like a densely packed sandbag. Not to mention, it feels so slippery that it’s hard not to notice it wiggling out of your embrace.
However, if you try to rub a baby penguin’s body with your hand, you’ll find it to be soft, furry, and oh-so-light to the touch. Just make sure not to linger too long because moms and dads are ultra-protective of their chicks.
Do Penguins Hate Humans?
You may be wondering: “If penguins don’t necessarily enjoy interacting with humans, does this mean they hate us?” This is not necessarily true because you’ve probably heard of penguins responding to the love and care of their trainers or zoo managers.
Penguins don’t hate humans. They are just not used to human touch. You may be seen as a potential threat if you position yourself too close to them.
Some wild species of penguins, such as the Tawaki, live in isolation, so if you suddenly show up out of nowhere and approach them, they will feel uncomfortable with your presence. It’s only normal for an animal to react defensively when there’s a potential threat in its environment.
Always realize that you are in their habitat. It’s similar to if you suddenly had a stranger in your living room looking to randomly give you a hug.
How To Make a Penguin Comfortable Around You
You don’t have to lose all hope, though. You can still get a penguin to feel comfortable around you. Most of the time, penguins have a rather tricky mood, so it’s best to be careful when attempting to hug one.
If you’ve ever had a chance to visit the penguin attraction in Antarctica, you’ll notice that sightseers are not allowed to be as close to the penguins for more than five meters. This is considered a safe distance, and I recommend you not to break this rule for your own safety.
Here are a few tips for when you get a chance to interact with a penguin under professional supervision:
- Don’t make any loud noises to catch their attention. This makes them really nervous, or worse, they will see you as an intruder in their habitat.
- Get used to the way they smell — like poop.
- Move slowly and try not to make any swift gestures or changes in your posture. This can surprise the penguins, causing them to get nervous and leave or peck you if you are close.
- Stay on the ground by sitting or squatting, so the penguins will not perceive you as a threat.
- Don’t rush the penguin into warming up to you. Be patient. It takes time for them to feel comfortable around you.
- Keep your cameras away as much as possible and simply live in the moment. It’s your chance to interact with a penguin, so don’t miss a second of it!
Can You Touch Penguins?
You may be wondering whether it’s even legal to touch a penguin. In 1957, the Antarctic Treaty was signed to enforce only peaceful activities in the region. This rule protects penguins from being disturbed in their natural habitat.
This explains the five-feet-away rule meant for sightseers in Antarctica I mentioned earlier. As I’ve also established, penguins are not used to being with humans. If you scare a penguin away by being too close to it, you’ll likely end up facing charges.
Is It Possible to Befriend a Penguin on Your Own?
If you’ve imagined yourself going out into the wild and befriending a penguin on your own, your chance of success is one in a million. Unless you’re a natural-born “animal whisperer,” I suggest you don’t try.
I know I’ve given you some practical tips on how to act around penguins, but you have to believe that not all fluffy creatures are friendly. It’s all about respecting animal life, and penguins deserve to remain undisturbed in their homes.
To Wrap It Up
I know, I know. I don’t mean to rain on your parade by telling you that you can’t hug penguins just like that, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I know you can’t resist the urge to squeeze them because they’re no doubt one of the cutest living things on the planet.
Still, they are wild animals, and we need to treat them with the respect that they deserve. Give them their space and enjoy their company from a distance.
Sources
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-is-it-like-to-hug-a_b_1668707
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-we-want-squeeze-cute-little-things-180971143/
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/dancing-penguins-antarctica
