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.
