Penguins are turning to prostitution. But instead of doing it for money, Antarctic dolly-birds are turning tricks to get rocks off their menfolk. Stones are essential for penguins to build their nests. A shortage has led to the unorthodox tactics.
Prostitution is described as the world's oldest profession.
But Dr Hunter is convinced it is the first time it has been seen in animals. Penguin partners All of the female penguins Dr Hunter observed trading sex for stones had partners. Penguins stick to the same mate, she said, but none of the males twigged what was happening. There was no suspicion on the part of the males. Females quite often go off on their own to collect stones, so as far as the males are concerned there is no reason to suspect.