Photo via Andrew Evans of the National Geographic.
King Penguinsare notorious for their prim, tuxedoed appearance -- but a recently discovered all-black penguin seems unafraid to defy convention. In what has been described as a "one in a zillion kind of mutation," biologists say that the animal has lost control of itspigmentation, an occurrence that is extremely rare. Other than the penguin's monochromatic outfit, the animal appears to be perfectly healthy -- and then some. "Look at the size of those legs," said one scientist, "It's an absolute monster."
The under-dressed penguin was photographed by Andrew Evans ofNational Geographicon the island of South Georgia nearAntarctica. As the picture circulated, some biologists were taken aback -- including Dr. Allan Baker of theUniversity of Toronto. His first response was disbelief:
Wow. That looks so bizarre I can't even believe it. Wow.