Their adorable appearance makes penguins one of the most beloved creatures in the animal kingdom and new figures show hundreds of people would love their own penguin.
The flightless birds are the most popular choice for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland's 'adoption scheme' and also claimed second and third place in a survey.
In the last 12 months, 180 people adopted a King penguin, 106 a Gentoo penguin and 99 a Rockhopper penguin.
The black-and-white birds have graced the silver screen in films such as March of the Penguins and became an online hit last year thanks to a live webcam of the Gentoo enclosure at Edinburgh Zoo.
And the Happy Feet flappers' popularity with animal lovers has been confirmed by the RZSS's latest research.
The RZSS lets people sponsor a creature at zoos and wildlife park for a year through its adoption scheme.
Money raised through the scheme goes towards the general care and upkeep of the animals, and can pay for things like food, veterinary care and heating the enclosures.
Tracy Hope, Acting Development Manager said: 'Animal Adoption is a great way to support RZSS. Our animals need care 365 days a year, and by adopting an animal you can contribute to this.'
At the Highland Wildlife Park near Kingussie in the Highlands the polar bear was the top choice for sponsors, with 111 adopting one.
The second most popular choice was the wildcat, picked by 84 people. The so-called 'Highland tiger' is now one of Britain's rarest mammals , with as few as 400 thought to be left in the wild.
The third most popular choice for adopters at the Highland Wildlife Park was the Amur tiger, chosen by 77 people.
The big cats are now found only in isolated populations around the Amur river valley in the far east of Russia and on China's north east border.
Only 450 are estimated to be left in the wild, with their survival threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1343616/Britains-animal-lovers-keen-p-pick-penguin-unusual-gift.html#ixzz19xuanQcX
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