Comments on: Penguin Feeding

By: sandra742

sandra742 — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:28:53 +0000

Hi! I was surfing and found your blog post… nice! I love your blog. Cheers! Sandra. R.

By: pschaller

pschaller — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 19:18:27 +0000

Hi Lori, Brenton was attacking molting penguins while they were feeding. I do not interfere if he is biting me but do intervene by placing him in the pool when he is especially asserting himself with penguins in molting condition. Brenton, along with all other juveniles are going through dramatic changes in their life as they are becoming sexually mature with asscociative hormones. This increases their interactive levels and will eventually result in their social development. The swimming behavior you observed is called porpoising, this is seen both in our environment and in the wild. Penguins swim like this to warm up and to avoid predators.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:57:26 +0000

Whoa. Major drama today at the morning feeding. We don’t have audio so I can’t listen in, so I have to ask what was up with the penguin that you kept dropping into the water. I think it was the same one. I couldn’t tell if he/she was biting you or not. Was the penguin having a bad day? And I think was I also privileged to witness the swimming behavior of an irate penguin.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 00:14:40 +0000

Wow. Thanks for the information. Now if only the penguins wore name tags, I’d be able to help you track their eating habits from the cam, too.

By: pschaller

pschaller — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:16:56 +0000

Hi Lori, When you watch the feeding you may notice an additional staff member. This member is recording the amount that each penguin feeds on. We have records for all penguins that have lived here for every day they have been at the Academy. I also monitor size/girth of the penguin, both visually and with a scale. All 20 penguins have different appetites and metabolisms. Change in appetite indicate females about to lay eggs, birds about to replace feathers and when a penguin is stable. It is very important that we keep track of the birds individually.

By: Lori

Lori — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 02:50:08 +0000

Hi Pam, it seems like some of the penguins don’t eat very much, how do you make sure that everyone gets her share? Are there only 2 feedings a day?

By: lynn

lynn — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 01:13:32 +0000

Thanks, Pam. Nature is so facinating. Thank you for taking the time to share the knowledge you have…it is fun to learn so much about penguins.

By: pschaller

pschaller — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 19:53:04 +0000

Hi Lynn, You are noticing “Dyer” and “Adasha”, they are siblings. Territory establishment is one of the highest priority in penguins. It ultimately defines the success of reproduction. Penguins move through other penguins’ territories by bowing their heads or by walking very quickly and erect (called “Slender Walk”). If a penguin does not display these behaviors when crossing into another penguin’s territory they are assumed to be challenging for dominancy or territory. This causes the penguins to defend their status/territory. There are 3 entrances and exits to the pool that the penguins use. The one Dyer and Adasha are located by during the evening is one of the three. The penguins can use one of the other options to exit the pool and avoid contact if they choose.

By: lynn

lynn — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:46:07 +0000

Pam…I have been noticing the two penguins which have taken residence in the walkway by the area where the feedings take place. Why are they so territorial and why do they appear to be picking on the penguins. Tonight one of them kept after all the other penguins until he pushed them in water.

Thanks,