Cross Species Communication - Monday 11/19

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Once the class was settled, Mary addressed the class.

"Penguins (order Sphenisciformes, family Spheniscidae) are an order of aquatic, flightless birds living exclusively in the extreme Southern Hemisphere. Penguins communicate by vocalizing and performing physical behaviors called displays.They use many vocal and visual displays to communicate nesting territories, matinginformation, nest relief rituals, partner and chick recognition, and defense againstintruders Penguin calls (vocalizations) are individually identifiable, allowing partners torecognize each other and also their chick. This is important since the members of a largecolony of penguins are nearly indistinguishable on sight

As it states in the packets you handwavey recieved, There are three main kinds of penguin calls.
a. The contact call is usually used at sea to assist in visual recognition of colony members. The contact call of emperor and king penguins can be heard one kilometer (0.6 mi.) away
b. The display call is the most complex of all the calls and is used between partners in a colony. The call must convey information on territorial, sexual, and individual recognition
c. The threat call is the simplest and is used to defend a territory and warn against predators.

This may seem rather limited, but the combination of vocal and visual cues can make for a very complex vocabulary as I'm sure you'll discover talking to our guest speaker.

His name is Popper."

//No relation.// Popper said with a wink.

[[ooc: Information from Wikipedia and SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database. Please wait for OCD. Open! In case you're wondering, the penguin is from here... Or rather, 5:33 into that.]]

Comments

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Popper wiped his brow with a flipper.

//Rather warm.// He said. //But I'm getting used to it. I think this is ideal weather for you lot huh?//

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[chasingangela]

Angela tgged on a sweater sleeve. //It's even a little cold for us.//

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Popper nodded his head.

//Oh yes, I suppose that's why you're all bundled up like that. You people and your fashion. It's fascinating.//

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[chasingangela]

//I guess you're always dressed for any occasion,// Angela said. //You know, with the black tie and all.//

She thought she was funny.

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//We're very posh we penguins.// Popper responded with a wink while he adjusted his bow tie with his flippers.

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[chasingangela]

Angela grinned and winked back at him. //So do you have any penguin expressions that I should know that aren't on my vocabulary sheet?//

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

Popper got a devil's glint in his eye but then noticed Mary Poppins looking right at him.

He gave a little jump and blushed.

//Uhhh... When we really like something we say it's "slippery".//

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[chasingangela]

It was kind of funny to see a penguin blush. //And what if you really don't like something? Is it "dry"//?

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//Actually, we say...// and here Popper made a noise that wasn't on the list. //Which is like 'dry' but is more like... So cold, it's kind of... sticky? You know what I mean?//

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[chasingangela]

Angela looked a little perplex and tried out the sound, then nodded. //Like ...metal in winter, kind of?//

Re: TALK TO POPPER

[spit-spot.livejournal.com]

//Yes, I think so. Ice can do that too, particularly where I'm from.//