February 01, 2021

Plenty of Penguins


Plenty of Penguins
Our vote for Russian Life's new mascots. The Primorsky Oceanarium on Facebook

The Primorsky Oceanarium in Vladivostok has recently welcomed eight adorable penguin chicks to their exhibit! What makes this situation remarkable (besides the fact that these little penguins are just absurdly cute) is that of these eight babies, two pairs of them are biological siblings.

Penguins are monogamous by nature, and it is very rare for one couple to conceive more than one viable egg at a time. So to have two pairs of twin eggs at the same time is quite the stroke of luck. 

For the first three to four months of their lives, these little ones will rely on both of their parents for food and protection. Unlike a lot of other birds, both male and female parents take responsibility for their young, even taking turns sitting on their eggs in the nest. 

While one might think that the cold climate of Russia makes it the perfect place to house penguins, there is actually no species of penguin that is endemic to the country. In fact, this penguin species, the Humboldt penguin, is native to South America. That's a far way to travel for a flightless bird! The species is deemed "vulnerable" by the IUCN with only 12 thousand birds known globally.

Polar bears, on the other hand, are no strangers to Russia.

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Some of our Books

Driving Down Russia's Spine
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Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 

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Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

The Little Humpbacked Horse
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The Little Humpbacked Horse

A beloved Russian classic about a resourceful Russian peasant, Vanya, and his miracle-working horse, who together undergo various trials, exploits and adventures at the whim of a laughable tsar, told in rich, narrative poetry.

At the Circus
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At the Circus

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka
November 01, 2012

Davai! The Russians and Their Vodka

In this comprehensive, quixotic and addictive book, Edwin Trommelen explores all facets of the Russian obsession with vodka. Peering chiefly through the lenses of history and literature, Trommelen offers up an appropriately complex, rich and bittersweet portrait, based on great respect for Russian culture.

The Moscow Eccentric
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The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.

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Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

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