Gentoo Penguins
The third-largest penguin species is known for its swimming abilities. We are home to a colony of both male and female gentoo penguins.
The world’s most romantic bird
Gentoo penguins are famous for their romantic side, with a courtship ritual that involves giving pebbles that are incorporated into nests that pairs will build together. These penguins are dedicated parents, trading duties that range from incubating the egg to foraging for food. The fastest of the diving birds, gentoos can swim at 35 kilometres per hour because of their strong flippers and streamlined bodies.
- IUCN Red List Status: Near Threatened (likely to become vulnerable in the near future)
- Type: Bird
- Habitat: Subantarctic islands
- Diet: Carnivore – fish, squid, and krill
- Size: 76 centimetres
- Weight: 5.4 to 9 kilograms
facts about our animals
Fun Facts about Gentoo Penguins
Gentoo penguins can dive up to 230 metres.
A gentoo can stay below the water for seven minutes at a time.
When a gentoo penguin moults, it can lose between 40 and 55 percent of its body mass.
While they are great divers, a gentoo will often scavenge for food close to shore.
Gentoo parents form long-lasting bonds and typically mate across several seasons.
During a deep dive, a gentoo will reduce its heartrate from 80 to 100 beats per minute to 20.
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