Quirky stories are popular on newspaper web sites. When a man ran down Hannan Street in a mankini on a Saturday morning, it was published to the Kalgoorlie Miner and became one of the most viewed articles.

Today, I found a couple of stories involving penguins and seals which would never cut it in the main news pages but somehow attract interest on the internet.

The Age reported “Little penguins get frisky feet” at Phillip Island.

“A false breeding season has begun in Phillip Island Nature Park, with frisky penguins uncharacteristically courting and mating months before breeding usually occurs,” the paper reported.

The unseasonal sexual activity was attributed to an improvement in the birds’ nutritional state and changing hormone levels.

Fair enough, the penguins get randy when they’re well fed, but is it newsworthy? Readers seem to think so.

And thanks to a new blog The Inquisitr I learned that “Sex pest seal tries to make love to a king penguin” was making web news at London’s Daily Mail.

“The 16 stone seal first subdued the two-and-a-half stone penguin by lying on it. The penguin flapped its flippers and attempted to stand and escape – but to no avail,” the Mail reported.

“The seal then alternated between resting on the penguin, and thrusting its pelvis, trying to insert itself, unsuccessfully.”

While frisky penguins arguably have a cute and fuzzy factor the same can’t be said for a seal rapist.

Although scientists described the incident as rare, I question the need to publish this type of information and the length of the report, including blurry photos of the attack.

Only one reader had been motivated to comment last time I looked. Kevin from Lincoln insightfully said: “Extinction is a distinct possibility if this behaviour becomes prevalent amongst seals.”