Guess the whole "never in nature" argument goes out the window

[Russianwolf]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540...22921#31243466

Never thought I'da seen it, but pretty amazing I think.

[BigguyZ]

Oh dear, I'm staying out of this one...

[cabinetman]

Not really that rare in some species for the male to do that.
.

[TheChief]

I believe there is a theory out that that some species might fall into such behavior as a result of population pressure... too many of 'em for a given environment and this behavior comes up for a while and the population decreases. Almost sounds reasonable, as an explanation.

The fact that they try to incubate rocks doesn't speak much for the overall intelligence of the deal, though.

[Alex Franke]

Wow, that's pretty wild.

I loved the dramatic pause -- "trying to incubate... rocks." :lol:

[pelligrini]

hehe, I wonder if that zoo advertises like the one here? Big painted buses reading "Come see the gay penguins!"

[gjat]

All sorts of odd, unusual, or abnormal behaviors may occur in species. It does not solve the question if it's caused by environmental pressures, normal genetic occurances, or genetic mutations. Behavior does not define the essence of a species, but behavior does define us as a higher order of cognitive beings. They're still penguins, but with a lesser ability to choose behavior, there are no moral implications connected to their behavior.

[Hellrazor]

Another story aimed at justifying current events in politics. Next week they will be oil capitalists or part of the auto industry

[Gator95]

some animals actually change sex depending on what's going on in the environment... but the 'never in nature' was never a valid argument anyways.

the arguments are around morality, religion, and politics- three things that aren't going to get talked about here.

now a penguin using a table saw- that's what I'd like to see.
and do they use a featherboard. or just their feathers.

[Alex Franke]

but with a lesser ability to choose behavior, there are no moral implications connected to their behavior.

Unless of course the penguins are actually aliens who have been feeding us technology all these years... think about it -- if you didn't want anyone to know that you built pyramids, lifted huge monoliths, carved giant animal designs in to the ground, and more, then wouldn't you think, "Ahhh, yes-- I'll live in the antarctic. They'll NEVER suspect me there!"

Okay -- back to reality for me.

[MilDoc]

Hate to say this folks but "never in nature" has been disproven long ago, should really say "always in nature."

Here's one report. there are many, many more:

http://www.livescience.com/animals/0...x-animals.html