Every month the National Aquarium of New Zealand ranks their "good" and "naughty" penguins. You might be wondering: how do penguins manage to land on a naughty and nice list? Well, it seems that all it takes really to be "good" is basically just...acting like a normal penguin. If you get up to be fed and swim an appropriate amount, you're in the zoo's good books.
But everything from fish-stealing to bullying fellow penguins can land you on the naughty list. The wholesome reasons why these penguins ended up on the naughty and nice list are guaranteed to make you laugh.
Stealing From The Blind, And Waddling With Confidence
Some penguins just don't have any shame — which is why this helpful board is here. This month saw Dora being a sweet and independent girl who hopped right up on the scale ready to be weighed. Maybe she was eager because she was starting a new diet? Mr. Mac on the other hand...
Mr. Mac obviously doesn't care much for helping those in need since he decided to snatch the fish straight out of his sweet, blind girlfriend Lulu's mouth while she was eating. Say the magic words next time Mac.
Here's A Bully, And A Early-Bird Who Got The Worm
This month Elmo showed that she's stronger than all of us in the morning as she made her way out of bed to be fed. She did it all despite being the oldest penguin at 19-years-old, having cataracts, and missing a flipper. You go, Elmo!
Tux, on the other hand, is a real ladies man...or at least he thinks he is. It's breeding season for the penguins and he's claimed the feeding area as his own territory, so he's been bullying penguins that come near.
Mo Won't Move, And Timmy's Reigned In His Naughtiness For Feeding
It looks like the standard was low for Timmy to become the "good" fish of the month but we'll still give him the title. This implies that he was previously flicking sand at the keepers but we're just glad he stopped.
While Timmy's been calm, Mo's been very, very calm. One can even say, too calm. Most penguins get out of bed before sunrise but not this sleepyhead who won't rise until at least 9:30. Apparently, after getting breakfast he even tries to go back to sleep!
A Gold Star For Betty, And A Muddy Footprint For Dave
Like her Archie Comics namesake, Betty the penguin is the good girl who won't let you down! She landed on the good side because she just did her thing and let the penguin inside her flourish. Apparently, Mo is her boyfriend so hopefully, she can keep him in line. You have your work cut out for you Betty.
Dave saw Betty minding her own business and thought that wasn't the life for him. He's been making it difficult for the keepers to clean the enclosures by causing mischief. Dave, you have to learn the concept of personal space.
This Hungry Girl, And Woman-Hungry Guy
These two are on opposite ends of the hungry spectrum. Dora finds herself at the top of the good penguin list this month because she knows what time dinner is. Instead of needing an escort to the feeding station, Dora can find her own way now. Just follow your nose girl!
Martin has a different kind of hunger. He's set his sights on the nearly blind Lulu who's Mr. Mac's long-suffering girlfriend and tried to steal her away. This poor girl can't catch a break!
Dave Doesn't Know Boundaries, And Burny's Got A Great New 'Do
Dave was just trying to help a guy out. Dave is apparently very comfortable around humans so he walked up to a guest with leg hair and started preening him. He only took out a few hairs in the process. That guest probably felt honored though, Dave didn't even charge him for the wax.
Burny, on the other hand, has been feeling herself lately and we love her for it! She was pretty shy before molting so she was spending a lot of time hiding in her burrow. But now that she's got new feathers she's letting them shine! Go Burny!
This Mother And Daughter Were Polar Opposites This Month
This month it was hard to see the family resemblance between mother Lulu and daughter Pepper. Pepper held it down this month and tried her best to encourage Tux to get out there and swim. Good thinking Pepper, he should be getting his steps and exercising every day.
Lulu wasn't feeling any of the positive energy Pepper was putting out into the world this month. She's been very snappy the past couple weeks at feeding time. Lulu, don't tell us you've forgotten the table manners that you worked so hard to teach Pepper?
Mac Is Back In The Good Books, And Flip Skipped Town
Mr. Mac is back again, but this time he's good! Instead of ignoring visitors during live public encounters like he normally does, today he put on a show for them and ate in front! Well done little guy. Hopefully, he didn't steal from the poor Lulu though. Maybe that's why she's been snappy...
Flip skipped town and ditched the old ball and chain. Maybe she was getting tired and needed a little vacation from the baby and the boyfriend.
Self Conscious, And Self Confidence
Some days we're just not feeling like ourselves — little Mo knows this all too well. He had a reaction that we can all understand when his keepers brought the scale out, he ran for the hills. He's naughty this month for this but honestly, this is really relatable.
Captain's been watching motivational speakers and decided to become the pilot of his own life! Good for him for putting his fin down and not taking any more of Tux's behavior. He must've been one of the ones chased around by Tux.
These Two Rebels Were Up On The Podium This Month
Folks, here we have the infamous Timmy for his first naughty appearance. We can't say we're surprised that our little rebel-without-a-cause stayed true to his roots and defended his naughty title against the usually bad boyfriend Mr. Mac. Today was an exceptional month for the rotten boyfriend.
Mr. Mac actually stepped up and took a little responsibility so poor Lulu, who is probably completely grey by now because of his antics and could use a little break. Go Mac! You can call him a bad boyfriend but he's not a bad dad.
Mr. Steal Yo Girl, And Mrs. Help Yo Girl
When Tux is on the board you know what that means...we've got ourselves a naughty boy. He's back at it with the breeding season bullying, while Betty is showing us why she's the sweetest girl in the lot.
Tux may be a little possessive, but how many girlfriends does Mo have? Couldn't he hook up with Elmo so she doesn't have to rely on the kindness of friends to warm her eggs? Even Mr. Mac is stepping up these days.
Timmy Ruined A Pool Party, And Pepper Went Out To Eat
Timmy looked at the rules of the pool and decided against them, and that's what we love about him. Shower before — no thanks. Dive in 30 minutes after eating — who's got the time? Too bad he ruined the party for everyone.
Good old Pepper showing that you can be something great even if your parents frequent the naughty penguin list. We bet Lulu and Mr. Mac were proud of her achievement and right there taking photos to commemorate it.
Tux Is Bullying Timmy, And We Can't Have That
We know Tux and Timmy are like two sides to the same rebellious coin, but pushing our quirky bad boy off a pier that he worked so hard to get to is not a good behavior! Tux seems like quite the bully since Captain had to stand up to him also.
Mr. Mac, on the other hand, stole our hearts with this gesture. Their relationship has some serious ups and downs but it's nice to know that at the end of the day they have each other's backs.
These Two Ladies Dominated The Lists
Lulu was really showing us her good side this month! The good girl was keeping her teeth to herself and following the instructions the keepers were giving her. She even tried to get Mr. Mac swimming when he was feeling lazy. This couple seriously needs their own sitcom.
Here Dora decided she wasn't feeling like her independent self and that's okay. Sometimes we all need a little extra attention when we're feeling lonely. I think we all volunteer to give Dora the attention she deserves!
Mo Was Just Unbearable, And Burny Witnessed It For The First Time
It seems that even penguins have their off-days...and months. When choosing the naughty penguin of the month, keepers elected Mo and had just one word for him — obnoxious! This little guy was probably just rambunctious for a mysterious penguin reason.
Boy, it must've been a shock for Burny walking in for the first time and seeing Mo's antics. Just wait until you meet Tux Burny. Thankfully he was quick to adjust.
Flip Was A Role-Model Penguin, And Mo Continued His Rampage
Some guys just don't change. Mo once again decided that he was more suited to a life of naughtiness than minding his own business and decided to take a page out of Mr. Mac's book. There's got to be some kind of instruction manual for misbehaving penguins about how to steal fish out of other's mouths.
On the flipside, Flip just always has her ducks in a row. Or, penguins in a row. She's good because she hits every mark she's supposed to as a penguin. Well done Flip, that's all we can expect of you.
Someone Needs To Stop This Penguin! What Is Going On?!
Mo, are you alright? Do you need to talk? Nobody should be at the top of the naughty list for 3 months. He seems like he's been acting out for a reason — maybe Tux stole another one of his girlfriends.
Jack has been the greatest little momma to her girlfriend's eggs. Even though two female penguins can't fertilize eggs, Jack's been trying and incubating them regardless. Jack, you're truly the greatest. I'll be crying over there.
Mr. Mac Is Too Good Of A Dad, And Timmy Is On A Fitness Journey
We love a turnaround, but it seems like Mr. Mac can never do anything right for long. Especially when it comes to Lulu. Apparently, he's being too much of a helicopter parent and not letting Lulu have her turn sitting on her eggs which is causing them relationship problems. Share Mac, share.
Look at our boy Timmy! He's been drinking his fish protein shakes and getting in some extra workout time at the gym because he wants to look and feel his best. You go, Timmy! Our rebel is walking the straight and narrow line.
This Power Couple, And This Unsure Girl
Now we know who's dating the cool customer Flip herself — Captain! Captain is the good penguin of he month because he's been taking egg-sitting duty and letting Flip get some much-needed shut-eye. These two are the power couple of the century.
Now Dora, on the other hand, has been a little standoffish. Poor Tall Matt is just trying to help her. Remember Dora, don't bite the hand that feeds you metaphorically or literally.
And Finally, Meet The Penguin Of The Year!
Every year the keepers at the aquarium tally the votes and announce which penguin wins the illustrious title of "Penguin of the Year." For 2018 it went to a bit of a bad boy...none other than the rebel without a cause himself, Timmy!
Followers of the aquarium were shocked when Timmy won the title because he was a frequent holder of the "naughty" title. Apparently, we just can't get enough of a rebel without a cause.
