Page 158 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Sharks & Ocean Predators
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33. The yellow-eyed 34. The 38. A wild
emperor penguin lives
penguin is the rarest stands over up to 20 years
a metre high In the wild penguins live to
between 15 and 20 years,
So endangered that a dedicated continental shelf, which lies roughly The largest penguin species is however in captivity that number
conservation organisation has been set 1.6 kilometres (one mile) offshore and the emperor penguin, which is closer to 30 years. The offi cial
up for it, the yellow-eyed penguin is extends out to 25 kilometres (16 miles). averages 1.15 metres (3.8 feet) record for the oldest captive
the Earth’s rarest species of penguin, Like all penguin species, their diet in height, but can o en surpass penguin is 29 years, four months.
with around 5,000 individuals extant largely consists of fish, which the a whopping 1.3 metres (4.3 feet),
and 2,000 breeding pairs left in their yellow-eyed harvest by diving down to with these giants towering over
native habitat. Despite being unique to 120 metres (394 feet) into the ocean lesser species with ease. 39. All the sub-
New Zealand, human development and waters. They are also among the species lay
interference has left the yellow-eyed longest living penguin species, capable 35. They
now most numerous on the country’s of hitting 20 years in age. Males tend eggs on land
southern-most islands. to live longer than females, leaving the mainly walk at Despite all penguin species
Yellow-eyed penguins hunt for food species with a male-to-female ratio of two miles preferring a water habitat, they
primarily over New Zealand’s nearby 2:1 after about ten years of age. always return each year during
per hour breeding season to lay their eggs
Almost all penguins waddle at on land, which take between 32
around 3.2 kilometres per hour and 68 days to hatch.
(two miles per hour) on land.
However, this rule is broken by 40. A group of
the king penguin, which has a
different gait and can walk at up young chicks is
to 5.6 kilometres per hour (3.5 called a creche
miles per hour).
Penguin young sometimes group
together in what is referred to as
36. Only the a creche. A group of fully grown
adelie and penguins, however, is referred to
as a ra .
emperor
actually live in 41. The
Antarctica chinstrap
While penguins are o en is the most
thought to inhabit Antarctica
exclusively, only two types live aggressive
on the continent proper, with Chinstrap penguins not only fight
the emperor and adelie species fiercely with one another during
braving its extreme climate. the breeding season, but also
engage in thieving behaviour,
37. Chicks are o en stealing choice pebbles
Older and wiser from rival nests, to supplement
The yellow-eyed not waterproof their own homes.
penguin is also one
of the longest living Adult penguin plumage isn’t
penguin species, acquired until a year a er birth.
frequently surpassing Until then the chicks have thinner
20 years in age.
and less waterproof plumage.
42. They cover
their feathers with
New Zealand
YELLOW-EYED PENGUIN a protective oil
Megadyptes antipodes All penguins have evolved a feature that helps
Class Aves
them care for and maintain their feathers.
Yellow-eyed Each penguin comes packing a uropygial
penguin range gland, a special oil-producing gland near the
animal’s tail feathers that it can harvest with
Territory New Zealand its beak and then spread over its body. LEFT In order
Diet Carnivore to stay smooth
Lifespan 10-20 years This oil acts as an extra barrier for in the water,
“They are also among Adult weight 5-8kg / 11-18lbs the penguin, protecting its feathers a penguin can
Conservation Status from damage and ensuring its plumage produce an oil
the longest living remains dry. The activity of harvesting the to spread over
gland and covering the feathers is referred to as its body
penguin species” ENDANGERED preening, with penguins spending parts of each
day working on their feathers. If a penguin works
on another’s coat it’s referred to as allopreening.
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