Here are a couple things that you might not know about Newt Gingrich: he’s still in the running for the Republican presidential nomination and he’s an animal lover. 

We know that first one is kind of depressing, but the second tidbit is actually kind of adorable.

In fact, Newt’s campaign launched a “Pets With Newt” website, which features fellow animal lovers/Newt supporters (think pics of them with their furry friends) ... because nothing convinces voters of a politician’s electability like a show of support from house cats.

But, there is one animal group with which Newt is having trouble connecting: the penguin contingent -- as illustrated by a recent unfortunate incident with a member of flightless water-fowl species.

Here’s what happened. ...

Earlier this week, while Newt was in St. Louis to speak at the annual meeting of the National Rifle Association, he decided to take a side trip to the city’s famed Forrest Park Zoo, where he got a behind the scenes tour. This sounds fun and all, but during a visit with two Magellanic penguins, one of them lost it and -- in a “when-animals-attack-politicians” kind of way -- savagely bit Newt’s finger. The injury required immediate medical attention and the application of a Band-Aid. Newt is said to be well on the way to physical recovery, but will bear the emotional damage for years to come. (Will Obamacare cover that?)

We may be cranking up the drama of this situation a little, but it’s still funny.

Also, we bet the bite was in reaction to Newt posing for a picture with the penguin ... and then asking the bird for his $50 picture fee.