Rockhoppers – The true heroes

Rockhoppers are the supporting actor of the penguin world – the kookie comedy part that is always the loyal best friend but never gets the girl.

Allow us to illustrate. Happy Feet. Surfs up. The biggest things to happen to the penguin world since The Great Attenborough Documentary of 1986. And where were our Rockhoppers? Supporting the stars. Providing the crowd scenes. Roped in as the mean villains.

Well it’s time for the Rockhoppers to take their rightful place at the head of the penguin hall of fame. These underestimated little birds knock the other penguins out of the park, they stand (waddle) apart from the crowd. Rockhoppers… well, ROCK.

Champion Freedivers

Rockhoppers can dive 100 metres for several minutes while on the hunt. No need for yoga and specialist breathing apps, they launch straight in and get on with it. No messing or no lunch. William Trubridge, eat your heart out.

Punk Rockers

Rockhoppers are punks through and through. Not only do they wear the iconic mohican-esque hair, but they pogo. Everywhere. They’re not very fast on land which is why they have developed their unique hopping. Why waddle when you can pogo, right?

Fashionistas

Rockhoppers can alter the shape of the lenses in their eyes, giving them good vision both above and below the water. Ok, other penguins do this too, but with their red glowing eyes contrasting with bright yellow eyelashes that Kardashians would kill for, our Rockhoppers are the only ones that do it in STYLE.

Lovers and Fighters

Rockhoppers differ from most other types of penguins in that they can be pretty aggressive toward each other, fighting for nesting sites, mating rights, and food. When fighting, they’ll slap at each other with their flippers. In other words, no-one messes with a Rockhopper. Not even another Rockhopper. They wouldn’t be out of place in Glasgow city centre on a Saturday night. A bit of hanging out with the mates, a good old punch up over someone else’s bird, and a kebab on the way home. Ok, maybe not the kebab.