OBPC Manager
Jack, from Papakaio School asked how we number the penguins. Well, Jack, we have special metal bands that are sequentially numbered. When we find a penguin that is not numbered, we take the next band and put it on the top of its flipper. That number band cannot come off, even in the water. It will not rust, fade or fall off. From the time the penguin is banded with the number, that is its number for ever. Almost like a name. Hope that helps.
OBPC Manager
We have had a number of questions come through from Papakaio School's Room 3. I thought it would be best to answer all of them together. First, Holly wanted to know how the penguins find their nest box. I will let my Biologist answer that when she gets in later this morning. Holly also asked how many penguins we now have. We have over 500 penguins in the colony. Emily and Holly also asked how long the penguins are at sea. That varies. During the breeding season if they are feeding chicks and incubating eggs, they may only be out for 1 or 2 days. At other times they can spend many months at sea without coming to land.
OBPC Manager
Holly wanted to know how the penguins find their nest boxes. The simple answer is that they remember where they are and follow a set path to and from the nest box every time the come and go. Much like we find our home when we leave. Blue Penguins are quite intelligent. To find their way back from sea they follow land markings that they can see from the water, as well as underwater features like valleys and rock formations, to guide them to shore.
OBPC Manager
Jacinta wants to know how long blue penguins live. The rough average is about 10 years. However, in colonies such as ours they are known to live much longer - to about 17. The oldest was 25, and lived in Australia. Relative to all other species, they are similar. But as a rule, the bigger the penguins, the slightly longer they live.
Susan
Is it true that a Royal Penguin came ashore this week? Have any other types of penguins come ashore at this penguin colony?
jacob
How dais a penguins get thow the ice.
Jacob
do enny blue penguins live atantarctica
OBPC Manager
A couple of really good questions. First, as for the Royal - I have not heard of a Royal coming ashore around here. We have had a Fiordland Crested, and further down the coast there was a Rockhopper that came ashore. And for you Jacob, Penguins find holes in the ice, used by the likes of seals, or they walk to the edge of the pack ice where they forage for food. They do not dig their own holes. And the Blue Penguins do not like it to be that cold - so there are no Blue Penguins that live in Antarctica.
Holly
How can penguins see in the dark?
Holly
How do penguins swim so fast ?
OBPC Manager
Holly from Papakaio School asks a couple of really good questions. The penguins see so well in the dark because of the structure of their eye. They are able to use the smallest amount of light to see. It helps them see in the dark water. And they can swim so fast because they have very strong flippers, and the feathers on their body make them very slick in the water. Hope that helps.
Kerri
Good website.
trenay
penguins are awesome!!!!!!
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