Penguins Are Great Dates, No OkCupid Required

If you watch any channel at any time of day, the frequency of dating service commercials prove that we humans aren’t the best at forming relationships, and sometimes we turn to the internet to help.

Well, hate to shame you, but penguins have game we couldn’t even dream of, and they need no assistance in the romance department.

In fact, penguin courtship is freakin’ adorable. Here’s why:

Penguins reach sexual maturity between 3 and 8 years old.

Their nesting season varies by species, some lasting all year, and some just during the winter and spring.

Courtship between male and female penguins begins with visual and auditory displays.

There are three types of displays that bring penguin partners together – ecstatic, mutual ecstatic, and bowing – all intended to solidify their relationship.

Males kickstart courtship by establishing and defending their nesting site.

They build this nests out of a wide range of materials. For African penguins at the Georgia Aquarium, that includes lavender provided to the habitat by trainers, individually chosen by the male penguins.

Mate selection is up to the female, and several females can compete for a male.

Penguins are mostly monogamous, with one male mating with one female in a breeding season.

Females often choose to return to the same male from the previous mating season, but will choose a different male if their former partner does not return to the nest.

Jealous yet? It’s ok, but you can use their epic romances to inspire some love in your life!

Photos and facts courtesy of National Geographic and the Georgia Aquarium.