The world-famous large penguin is undergoing some changes. plaguethe fluffy king penguin and social media sensation from Australia’s Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium is taking on the natural world Molting process. That’s totally normal, but this fluffy bird looks a little different than when it first made headlines over the summer. Here’s what you need to know:
Who is the plague?
A young king penguin is Born at the aquarium in January 2024. His arrival was very exciting for the aquarium, as no other king penguin chicks were parched last year. Pest is also the only king penguin to hatch this year.
plague Weighed less than half a pound When he was born, he gained notoriety on social media for his huge body and fluffy feathers.
Why is plague so big in the first place?
According to SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium Education Manager Olivia HillPest size is a combination of nature and nurture.
“It’s a combination of the genetics of his parents (his biological father Blake is one of Sea Life Melbourne’s largest birds) and the amazing care he receives from his foster parents Tango and Hudson,” Hill said. popular science.
The plague began to rapidly increase in size. Adult king penguins can grow up to 50 pounds even though they are still young. They typically weigh between 31 and 37 pounds. The plague is Largest chick ever kept at this aquarium. However, he doesn’t always get that big.
“Because their parents are no longer feeding them, they are losing weight (as is common during this stage of molting) and will soon be as heavy as other adults,” Hill said.
Video credit: Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium/Olivia Hill.
Video credit: Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium/Olivia Hill.
What is happening to the plague at this new stage?
The plague is growing adult wings. These new black, white, and yellow feathers push out the older, downy young feathers in a process called molting. It usually occurs once a year in all penguin species and typically lasts 2 to 3 weeks.
“Multing feathers are shed over time during this process, and birds have been observed preening to remove old feathers by using their beaks or scratching with their toenails. “This process creates unique and often interesting ‘hairstyles,'” he says. hill. “Pest currently appears to be wearing a brown feather boa over a white tuxedo shirt.”
What happens to the plague after it molts?
Eventually, it will look like any other adult king penguin. adult king penguin There is usually an orange beak plate on the side of the beak. Juveniles have dark brown or black beak plates. However, they are difficult to tell apart in the wild because there is usually little difference in their plumage.
[Related: African penguins may tell each other apart by the spots in their plumage.]
“We’ll be able to tell Plague apart by this black beak plate for the next year or so, until it molts as an adult for the first time (November 2025). After that, Plague will shed the black beak plate and change to an orange beak. He’s growing plates. He’s an adult,” Hill said. “In that case, the only way to distinguish him from all other birds is determined by his feather band (241 – brown-orange-black).”
How can I see the plague?
He is currently exhibition at the aquarium, However, it is also active social media.
