Animal：Gentoo Penguin
【明報專訊】Do all penguins look alike? Certainly they all look as if they are wearing velvet tuxedo suits! But there are always small details that make each species of penguins special. The gentoo penguin (巴布亞企鵝), for example, wears the most prominent ''tuxedo tail''. Not only that, the white, spectacle-shaped patches near the eyes give it a uniquely refined look. Its body is wrapped in very fine feathers. The gentoo penguin is the third largest penguin species, with an average height of 76 cm.
Expert diver and swimmer
Gentoo penguins are found in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions, with 40% of the total population concentrated on the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean. Gentoo penguins can remain below water for up to seven minutes, and dive as deep as 200 metres. They can also swim at speeds up to 36 km/h, the fastest recorded for any penguin!
Loyal couples
Gentoo penguins start breeding when they are two to four years old. A breeding colony can be made up of 12,000 pairs staying with each other during a breeding season, while some couples may bond for life.
To build a nest, first the male finds a nice, ice-free spot and calls out for a female to come and investigate. The two trumpet or bow to each other to show that they are in agreement that it is a good place. A nest is built with pebbles, sometimes up to 1,700 of them, with some stolen from other nests! Feathers, twigs and vegetation are also used as building materials.
Victims of human disturbance
Gentoo penguins are increasingly victims of our human activities, especially when the Antarctic regions become popular tourist destinations. Added to that is the constant threat of fisheries and climate change.
Our individual actions can help reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. What ways do you have to save energy?
Text and photos: Ocean Park Hong Kong
[Smarties' Power English 第267期]
