Little Penguin Tickled (VIDEO)

Life doesn't get much cuter than watching a Little Penguin -- unless you're watching a Little Penguin being tickled... and wait until you see the reaction!

In this adorable video, "Cookie" the penguin gets tickled at the Cincinnati Zoo. Cookie is a Little Penguin (the smallest species of penguin), and is reportedly the mascot of the Zoo Bird House.

He has a bandage on his foot because he has a disease known as "bumblefoot" and needs his sock changed daily.

According to The L.A. Times, Little Penguins (also known as Blue penguins or Fairy penguins) are native to Australia and New Zealand.

Patricia Sund filmed the video while working at the zoo as a guest keeper to perform research for her book and blog, "Parrot Nation." While the original video was posted to YouTube over a year ago, a new, shorter clip has recently been making the rounds, surging in popularity across the Internet.

WATCH the original version (tickling starts about one minute into the video!):

Comments

[Kim0330]

11:16 AM on 05/24/2011

I just watched this again for a laugh...

[Fortune27]

07:44 AM on 05/11/2011

I remember these plants from my visits to the plant conservatory at Volunteer Park in Seattle years ago. It's interesting to see them morphed into this new marketing phenomenon. But I think kids will be befuddled when they learn that the poor plants don't giggle, sing or talk.

[TexasTreader]

11:15 PM on 04/25/2011

That's very sweet. How can Darwinists think that something like that was a matter of heartless evolution?

[Tena]

07:47 PM on 04/26/2011

Um, we laugh, yes? We are the products of evolution.

Chimps giggle when tickled as well as many monkeys.

[barrada nicto]

04:47 AM on 04/27/2011

There's nothing heartless about evolution. The shear wonder and joy of it is forever uplifting.

[This American]

11:05 PM on 04/25/2011

They are cute, but their isn't a whole lot of meat on them. and what there is, tastes like anchovies.

[paddy523]

08:03 AM on 04/25/2011

That will never get old!!!!!

[Pam Dancer]

06:21 AM on 04/24/2011

OMG -now they are show a Plant that MOVES when you Tickle It See video. You can grow it at home. I can't wait to Tickle this plant. It's called a TickleMe Plant http://www.ticklemeplant.com Teacher's are going to love this. I am tempted to wake my kids up now to show them what I ordered! The song is cute too!

[cupcake77]

01:31 PM on 04/24/2011

Here in Hawaii that plant grows everywhere. It is considered a weed. It is known as sleeping grass because it closes when touched. It is also called missionary grass because it is has stickers and legend has it that missionaries planted it to force the Hawaiians to wear shoes.

[Pam Dancer]

04:44 PM on 04/24/2011

Very interesting- I love how it moves when Tickled. I understand ti also sleeps at night, In any case growing a TickleMe Plant and watching the leaves fold together when Tickled seems like a great way to excited kids about nature, They show you how to easily grow it indoors year round and even to flower. My kids think the TickleMe Plant is more like a pet then a plant and I have to agree,

[pixiepotpie]

05:52 PM on 04/25/2011

So, I guess "tickle" doesn't seem terribly accurate then. Like maybe they're trying to Avoid being touched. Humm... Oh well! :)

[Hansy Peguero]

06:06 PM on 04/26/2011

These grow everywhere in the Caribbean, where I was born. I loved them as a child and still do. We used to call them "morivivi"

[Razpooten]

11:35 PM on 04/23/2011

As a photographer I've always said you can't go wrong with puppies and babie; this babie realy takes the cuteness award.

[Razpooten]

11:30 PM on 04/23/2011

Sorry, was still laughing. - I meant to say how humans and animals can interconnect with eachother.

[Razpooten]

11:28 PM on 04/23/2011

Amazing and cute little critter. A wonderful display of how humans can interconnect with eachother. Obviously the little pinguin feels safe and loved (yes animals can feel and give love).

[Kambriel2]

12:05 PM on 04/23/2011

That little guy makes me grin stupidly every time I see this. That is one happy penguin.

[Nerdiac]

09:10 AM on 04/23/2011

Too cute! He was ready for it too, he ran over like he knew what was coming XD Adorable meter: EXPLODED

[sushi27]

02:18 AM on 04/23/2011

That was squealing with delight? My dog got very upset and started barking, as in mom they are hurting the little penguin, make them stop.

[pixiepotpie]

05:55 PM on 04/25/2011

Perhaps you two could write a short story about it. lol. :)

[notafanatic]

07:13 PM on 04/22/2011

Well, I have to agree with westbygoddoug's comment this is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen too.....It IS for real...I had the good fortune to have experienced it myself with a baby penguin and it's mom at a private animal sanctuary..the squeal is of pure delight..it's saying 'more please!'.....
Happy Easter to everyone, or Earth Day or Spring or whatever strikes your fancy......!

[Kristin Talbott]

05:02 PM on 04/22/2011

I don't know, that little guy didn't sound particularly delighted to me.

And it kind of looked like he was trying to get away....

[robinkincaid]

02:15 PM on 04/22/2011

had a really bad day at work and this mane my tears go away.

[notafanatic]

07:19 PM on 04/22/2011

Hi robinkincaid.....here's a hug for you to go with the video of our little penguin friend...the tears will pass and this too shall be forgotten....I try to remember the saying "The greatest of things are/is achieved with a light heart!" xox

[Thisbeautifulplanet]

03:58 PM on 04/23/2011

Get back to the animal section whenever you have a bad day and you will feel better instantly. I call this section "instant gratification".