Qixi or “Chinese Valentine’s Day” was this Tuesday, and this year, it wasn’t just people expressing their love. Apparently, many in the animal kingdom also showed romantic side on this special occasion, including the residents of Taiwan’s national aquarium in Pingtung.
Penguins court by placing a rock in front of their beloved. It’s a bit like the way humans in some cultures propose with diamond rings. If the other penguin shows affection in return, the couple prepares to begin mating. That was what was going at the National Museum of Marine Biology & Aquarium on Tuesday, which coincidentally was also the holiday sometimes called “Chinese Valentine’s Day” in English.
The penguins will build love nests shaped like small volcanoes after they have finished mating, says their caretaker.
It wasn’t just the penguins feeling love in the air either. Sea hares and puffins were also reportedly looking for romance, too.
Aquarium visitors were delighted at seeing the varied forms of animal courtship on display.