Today is #DarwinDay, a day that celebrates the birthday of Charles Darwin (1809-1882), whose scientific theory of evolution by natural selection became the foundation of modern evolution studies. He travelled across the globe to document new animal and plant species.
Here’s a story for you: #Darwin and penguins crossed paths! In 1831, the British Royal Navy decided to embark on an expedition towards South America to chart the coastline and draw port maps. They decided to invite Darwin on board.
One day, Darwin met an unforgettable penguin during a journey on the Falkland Islands. In his diary, Darwin described this penguin as “a brave bird.” Till reaching the sea, the penguin “regularly fought and drove” him backward, according to his notes. This penguin stood close before him, “erect and determined.” It moved swiftly, so much so that it might “easily be mistaken for a quadruped,” Darwin wrote. When at sea and fishing, the penguin came to the water surface to breathe, but “with such a spring” and “so instantaneously”, that he almost thought he saw “a fish leaping for sport” at first sight.
This story was later published in 1839 in England in the form of a book called “The Voyage of the Beagle”, along with the rest of Darwin’s findings. Guin is very pleased and rather proud knowing that penguins were somewhat involved in this great voyage.
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