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    With those precious little beaks and that adorable waddling, it's really no wonder penguins are one of the most beloved birds in the animal kingdom. But there's a lot more to these cool creatures than their happy feet and elegant outerwear. In honor of World Penguin Day, check out 10 amazing penguin facts that will have you running to the nearest aquarium.  

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    POTPURRI O' PENGUINS

    There are 18 different species of penguins. From African to the Macaroni, penguins of all kinds can be found around the southern hemisphere of the world. Sadly, 13 of them are listed as threatened or vulnerable due to declining populations. Some are even facing extinction.

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    FAITHFUL FEATHERED FRIENDS

    Penguins are monogamous and typically spend several mating seasons with one partner. In addition, the mate selection is up to the female and many times, they are the ones who compete for a male's attention. They also make excellent parents, sharing the responsibilities of taking care of their children.

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    LOVERS, NOT BITERS

    Penguins do not have any teeth. They can swallow their fish whole. However, they do have barbs on their tongue and throat which ease the digestion process. 

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    BEHEMOTH BIRD

    Scientists recently reconstructed the fossil skeleton of a giant prehistoric penguin and found that it was almost four and a half feet tall. The enormous penguin species, dubbed "Kairuku," was more than a foot taller than the modern day Emperor penguin with its long narrow bill, slender body, and short, thick legs and feet. 

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    MOVE OVER, PHELPS

    Although these flightless birds lost their ability to soar through the skies millions of years ago, their strong flippers and aerodynamic bodies make them superior swimmers. Paddling at 15 miles per hour, Penguins are considered the fastest swimming and deepest-diving bird species.

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    BIG AND BEAUTIFUL

    These big birds are not afraid of a little fat. Their extra chubbiness helps keep them warm and insulates them from the cold. In addition, the fat serves as an energy reserve when food is scarce.

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    WATER WORSHIPPERS

    Although you may picture penguins skating around the icy slopes, they actually spend a majority of their time in the water. Penguins live almost 75 percent of their lives hunting for food in the ocean because their bodies are designed to easily adapt to the water.

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    SECURITY SUIT

    The tuxedo suits aren't just to impress. Penguins like to dress for success. Their white bellies help them blend with the snow and sunlight, while their black backs mix with the dark waters, making it more difficult for underwater predators to see them.

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    CHATTY CHICKS

    Penguins are extremely vocal creatures and communicate with each other frequently, often by yelling out to one another. They also like to talk through body language using their heads and flippers. 

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    POLITICAL PENGUIN

    Republicans can keep their elephants and the democrats can have the donkeys. The United States Libertarian Party opted for the penguin as their unofficial mascot. According to the Liberty Penguin page, they adopted the adorable bird as the face of their party for the following reasons: 1. Liberty is cool and penguins symbolize cool. 2. Their playful antics are a picture of freedom. 3. Penguins are black and white; there's no gray area.

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    Next: Happy National Ferret Day!