Penguins have been a great reference in our modern culture as the lovable mammal is used in monikers spreading across popular culture namely when naming suits or a certain comic book character of the same name. Somehow or rather, penguins have more often than not been conceived as mammals living among polar bears and seals. However, that’s not the case.
With World Penguin Day 2016 being celebrated 25 April 2016, here are 6 facts most Malaysians probably didn’t know about penguins!
1. THERE ARE 17 TYPES OF PENGUINS
There are 17 species of penguins in the world with the biggest of the lot being the emperor penguin. Standing over 4-feet tall, this caravanning species made its name through the magical powers of tap-dancing and silky, singing voices in in 2006’s “Happy Feet.”
2. THEIR SIZES VARY FROM WHERE THEY LIVE
A general rule of thumb is that the farther south from the equator you go, the bigger the species of penguins you’ll find. Antarctica is home to the largest of them all: the emperor penguin while along the coasts of Australia and New Zealand are where you’ll find the most petite of the 17 species of penguins: Little penguins that generally stand at only 33cm (13in) tall and weigh one kilogram (2.2 lbs).
3. THEY ONLY LIVE IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE (except one)
On the whole, penguins are found in the southern hemisphere with the exception of a handful of the Galapagos penguins. Among them, there are a handful of them which can be found in the wild areas right on or slightly north of the equator. They also live in the warmer, very un-penguin-like waters.
4. THE CLOSEST PENGUINS (TO MALAYSIANS) ARE IN AUSTRALIA
The smallest penguins: the Little Penguin is found largely in Australia and New Zealand with Phillip Island being one of the more prominent viewing destinations. Only a two-hour drive through the lively Melbourne city and breath-taking coastlines, Phillip Island offers tonnes of fun activities before waiting for the right time to view these petite aquatic-birds.
5. LITTLE PENGUINS ONLY COME UP TO LAND AT NIGHT
To avoid predators, little penguins usually emerge from the sea after dusk and scurry to their burrows to avoid predators. A sight of these small birds emerging and hurriedly waddling to their burrows has become a very sought after activity with the Penguin Parades. Only at the Phillip Island Nature Park, the Penguins Plus package provides an intimate new option for visitors who want to get up close and eye level with the little penguins with a 300-seat viewing deck.
6. LITTLE PENGUINS HAVE A-LIST CELEBRITY ‘FANS’
These charming creatures have been increasing their ‘fan base’ of late especially the birds of Phillip Island. These 32,000 Melbourne-based birds already share an island home with Hollywood megastars Chris and Liam Hemsworth. Besides that, they also have Kylie Minogue as the ambassador to the Penguin Foundation at Phillip Island. With their cuteness levels ringing at an all-time high, even the mega-macho Hugh Jackman couldn’t resist taking a selfie with the adorable bird!
Don’t forget to pack your bags and say hello to these lovely and adorable creatures at Philip Island, Melbourne!
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- Distributed via ASIA TODAY http://www.AsiaToday.com
