We are celebrating World Penguin Day - 25th April

To celebrate World Penguin Day we’ve decided to waddle some facts together about these amazing animals!

1. There are 17 species of penguins which are all naturally found exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere.   

2. Emperor Penguins are the tallest species, standing nearly 4 feet tall. The smallest is the Little Blue Penguin, which is only about 16 inches. 

3.The fastest species is the Gentoo Penguin, which can reach swimming speeds up to 22 mph. 

4. Fossils have been found to show the earliest penguin relative at 60 million years ago, meaning they survived the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. 

5. Unlike most birds which lose and replace a few feathers at a time, penguins actually moult all at once, spending two or three weeks land-bound as they undergo what is called the’ catastrophic moult’. 

6. Most species of penguin will mate with the same individual and return to the same nesting site each year. 

7. Both male and female penguins care for their young for several months until the chicks are strong enough to hunt for food on their own. 

8. Penguins actually have excellent hearing and rely on distinct calls to identify their mates when returning to the crowded breeding grounds. 

9.  Because penguins aren't used to danger from animals on solid ground, wild penguins exhibit no particular fear to humans. 

10. Penguins survive because their feathers trap a layer of warm air next to the skin that serves as insulation to keep them warm. 

What’s your Penguin Name?? To find out click on the link below!

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/code/2014/penguin-name/your-penguin-name.html