The Cute Factor [including more about penguins...]

The Cute Factor - New York Times:

Although I am maintain heavy skecticism toward anything leaning toward sociobiology, and I wonder about claims within the article (for example, kids believe antismoking messages more when delivered by cute cartoon animals than without -- what is the control case? noncute cartoons? people? screen with words?), the article is interesting and amusing nonetheless. Also, who knew that Arles hosts a penguin researcher?

"Take penguins as an example. Some people are so wild for the creatures, said Michel Gauthier-Clerc, a penguin researcher in Arles, France, 'they think penguins are mammals and not birds.' They love the penguin's upright posture, its funny little tuxedo, the way it waddles as it walks. How like a child playing dress-up!

Endearing as it is, Dr. Gauthier-Clerc explained that the apparent awkwardness of the penguin's march had nothing to do with clumsiness or uncertain balance. Instead, he said, penguins waddle to save energy. A side-to-side walk burns fewer calories than a straightforward stride, and for birds that fast for months and live in a frigid climate, every calorie counts.

As for the penguin's maestro garb, the white front and black jacket suits its aquatic way of life. While submerged in water, the penguin's dark backside is difficult to see from above, camouflaging the penguin from potential predators of air or land. The white chest, by contrast, obscures it from below, protecting it against carnivores and allowing it to better sneak up on fish prey. "