World Penguin Day

 

World Penguin Day is celebrated every year on 25 April. This day is significant because it coincides with the start of the northern migration of Adelie penguins. Adelie penguins are one of the 17-20 species of penguins recognized worldwide. The southern hemisphere is home to most of the penguins, with a total of about 20 species known to humans.

The Emperor Penguin is the largest species of penguins. whereas the smallest are found along the coastal areas of New Zealand and Australia. Penguins are flightless birds, and their habitats are found in the southern hemisphere. One of the most popular and intriguing characteristics of penguins is that of them waddling with their group in icy lands. This has made them a popular subject for animated movies and cartoons.

History of World Penguin Day

World Penguin Day is celebrated on annually on 25 April. This day was established at McMurdo Station, an American research center situated on Ross Island. World Penguin Day is dedicated to Adélie Penguin, a species of penguins who start their migration north toward Antarctica around 25 April every year. This migration takes place so that the penguins can have access to food during the winter months. Researchers were quite intrigued by this fact, and therefore decided to celebrate World Penguin Day on 25 April to mark the occasion and raise awareness of these amazing and beautiful creatures.

Significance of World Penguin Day

The significance of World Penguin Day extends to highlighting the plight of endangered species. While the day was initially established to commemorate the Adélie Penguin's migration patterns, it now encompasses all species of penguins and emphasizes their vulnerability to extinction. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 10 of the 17 species of penguin currently exist are endangered or threatened with extinction.

Penguins are highly social animals that spend up to three-quarters of their lives in the sea. They rely on the oceans for food. Overfishing and pollution are the major threats to their survival. Climate change is also a major concern for penguin species. As sea ice shrinks, it not only affects their habitat but also impinges on their chick hatching times and food availability. World Penguin Day provides an opportunity to appreciate these unique animals and take a stand against the threats they face. It is also a reminder of the importance of protecting the ocean and the environment for future generations.

World Penguin Day: Unknown Facts About Penguins

Following are some of the unique and unknown facts about Penguins that everyone must know.

• The Emperor Penguin is one of 17 species of penguin that live in the waters of Antarctica. It is the largest of these species, reaching an average size of 1m tall, weighing approximately 35kg.
• Instead of wings, penguins use their flippers for swimming, and they can drink salty sea water for up to 20 minutes without coming up for air.
• Majority of the penguins are monogamous except Emperor Penguins who are serially monogamous, meaning they have same partner for a season rather than life.
• Penguins have a sharp eyesight, which allows them to see clearly in and out of water. Like humans, penguins also have a binocular vision, meaning they can focus on a single object with both the eyes.
• The black and white colored body of penguins is a camouflage. The black markings protect them from the predators outside the water while as the white markings make them almost invisible inside the water.
• Penguins are carnivores, and eat small fishes and shrimps while swimming.
• Little Blue Penguin, also known as the Fairy Penguin is the smallest penguin. It weighs only 1 kg and is around 33 cm tall.
• Different species of penguins have different life spans, which may vary from 6 to 30 years.
• Out of 17-20 species of penguin, 10 species have been declared as vulnerable or endangered, and are currently enlisted on the IUCN’s red list.