Loveland Aquarium’s penguin dating series ‘Love on Thin Ice’ attracts large TikTok following
DRAPER, Utah (ABC4) — There’s a new dating show quickly rising in popularity, only this one follows the mating drama of penguins at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah.
The new video series, which consists of two-minute episodes released on TikTok weekly, dives into the courting and mating behaviors of 20 gentoo penguins. According to a press release, the video series “not only spills the iced tea of penguin dating dynamics, but also educates about natural mating behaviors of gentoo penguins.”
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The aquarium said the release of the pilot episode “attracted thousands of new TikTok followers.” The video currently has nearly 40,000 likes and more than 300 comments.
Karmel Harper, the aquarium’s marketing director, said the idea was joked about for several years. However, last season the jokes turned into a plan after a female penguin, Poppy, tried to steal another penguin’s mate and captured the attention of aquarium employees.
“Everyone at the Aquarium got so invested in the drama! The keepers originally had the idea to do a ‘reality dating show’ format, and this year, our marketing team was finally able to bring it to fruition,” Harper said.
The marketing team plans to release weekly episodes, along with behind-the-scenes content, during the entirety of the penguin mating season which lasts approximately three months.
Some of the “contestants” include Runner and Georgia, who have been exclusive for several years, and Ava and Nash, who appear to be fighting over Sampson’s affections.
Penguins picking up a rocks at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. Gentoo penguins present rocks during the courting phase of the mating season. (Courtesy of the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium) Penguins Nash and Sampson. (Courtesy of the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium) Ava picking up a rock. Gentoo penguins present rocks during the courting phase of the mating season. (Courtesy of the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium) Gentoo penguins at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. (Courtesy of the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium)
While the series is engaging for the community and their social media followers, Harper said there’s a deeper purpose to filming the penguin dating show.
“‘Love on Thin Ice’ aligns with the Aquarium’s mission of inspiring people to explore, discover, and learn about earth’s diverse ecosystems,” Harper said. “People care about things they connect with, and in turn, hopefully, they will be inspired to help protect them and the entire living planet.”
One way in which the series is educating the public is by dispelling the misconception that all penguins mate for life. Harper said some species of penguins do mate for life, however, gentoo penguins take a more “fluid approach.”
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“Male and female penguins may return to their original mate from the prior year, or they might try courting a different penguin,” Harper said. “In our colony, we have observed the penguins switching mates from year to year and some couples staying together.”
At the beginning of the mating season, gentoo penguins court each other by bowing or presenting rocks to express interest in being mates that season. In a single season, Harper said females will have anywhere from one to three partners while males tend to have one to two partners before settling on a mate.
“Once a male and female agree to mate, and begin building a nest, they are likely to remain monogamous during that season as it takes two penguins to raise a chick,” Harper said.
While it is not as simple as “mating for life” with gentoo penguins, they do tend to choose the same mate after the dating process 90% of the time.
To follow along with the series, see the aquarium’s TikTok account.
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