We will explain the characteristics, habitat, size, breeding, etc. of little penguins. They are called fairy penguins or blue penguins and can be seen in Australia and New Zealand. Australia has a penguin parade, so if you’re interested, go check it out.
Basic information about little penguins
Little penguins, also known as little penguins, fairy penguins, or blue penguins, are the world’s smallest penguins and are loved and cute. The body length is 36-42cm and the weight is about 1kg. It is classified as a bird.
| Japanese（和名） | コガタペンギン |
| English（英名） | Little Penguin / Fairy Penguin / Blue Penguin |
| scientific name(学名) | Eudyptula minor |
| classification（分類） | Sphenisciformes, Spheniscidae, Eudyptula ペンギン目ペンギン科コガタペンギン属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Height（身長） | 36 – 42cm |
| Weight（体重） | 1kg |
What’s going on in taxonomy?
The little penguin was first publicly described in writing by German naturalist Johann Reinhold Forster in 1781. Several subspecies are known, but their exact classification is still controversial. Little penguins and white-bellied penguins were once thought to be the same species, but in recent years they have come to be considered different species.
About the habitat of little penguins
Little penguins live in the southern regions of Australia, including Melbourne. They also live in New Child Land. Adult birds are sedentary and form colonies. They primarily settle on the coast and spend most of their time at sea.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The little penguin is the smallest type of penguin, and is a very cute animal with a body length of about 36-43 cm and a weight of only 1 kg. The head and back are dark gray with a bluish tinge, and the front is white with gray fur. The beak is entirely black. Unlike other penguins, they tend to walk in a slightly forward leaning position rather than walking upright, and are probably the most primitive type of penguin.
What is your personality like?
Little penguins have a very ferocious personality. This is because they have many external enemies due to their small size, so they cannot survive unless they are treated with a strong attitude. Therefore, until you get used to it to a certain extent, if you touch it easily, you will be bitten by its beak. In the wild, they are not surprised when they see large humans.
What is the ecology of little penguins?
Little penguins mainly eat small fish, squid, and octopus. I like small fish, but sometimes I also eat crustaceans. Breeding occurs mainly around October each year, when eggs are laid in colonies. It is possible to lay two eggs. Breeding can begin as early as around 2 years of age. The maximum lifespan is said to be 15 to 20 years. The chicks leave the nest about 50 to 60 days after hatching and become independent in about two years.
What is the life of a little penguin like?
Little penguins are usually nocturnal. They tend to go out to sea at dawn and come ashore after sunset. They tend to be sedentary and don’t leave often. They make their nests by digging holes in the grass to protect themselves from predators.
Are little penguins an endangered species?
According to IUCN’s conservation status assessment, little penguins maintain a stable population at LEAST CONCERN. The estimated population is 1,000,000 birds. However, this cannot be said to be stable. This is because the following events occur.
Oil spill off the coast of New Zealand in 2011
An oil spill occurred off the coast of New Zealand in 2011. 20,000 seabirds (including little penguins) died, and experts fear that the ecosystem may collapse as a result. In addition to this problem, land development in New Zealand and Australia has caused penguins to invade homes. Some people are taking this opportunity to start breeding them.
The problem of increasing number of predators
Originally, Australia and New Zealand had no carnivores. However, since Europeans pioneered the penguin in modern times, dogs, cats, and even foxes have been brought in, causing the problem of little penguins being predated. Not just the little penguin, but the entire penguin population is at risk.
Where can I see little penguins?
The main sightseeing spots for little penguins are Oamaru in New Zealand and Phillip Island in Australia, where they are visited by many tourists. If you are interested, please make a reservation on a travel site.
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What is Oamaru?
Oamaru is a small town in New Zealand that is home to a large population of little penguins. Because it is close to human habitat, it is possible to see little penguins up close. It’s a very small town, so it’s not crowded, so I recommend it.
What is Phillip Island?
Phillip Island is a famous tourist attraction in Melbourne, Australia. It is possible to see little penguins, koalas, and other animals, making it a famous spot visited by many tourists throughout the year.
Is it possible to keep little penguins?
Breeding of the little penguin species is possible. However, they will need to be bred as they have quite a violent personality. Also, there are high hurdles to raising them. It will be necessary to secure a veterinarian, a facility that can maintain room temperature, and fish. Also, note that you will need to prepare a pool and a den, so it will cost some money. Please refer to the following page.
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