Edinburgh Zoo celebrates the arrival of nine penguin chicks – and animal lovers have the chance to observe their development from the comfort of their own homes.
The zoo, which has a “penguin camera” for people to see new arrivals, is keeping a close watch on gentoo penguins as their first month is critical.
The first two eggs hatched last Saturday at parents Muffin and Mittens and it is hoped that more chicks will emerge in the coming weeks.
The first two eggs hatched last Saturday at parents Muffin and Mittens
Gentoo chicks weigh approximately 98g when hatched, which is equivalent to half an avocado.
With flaming red-orange beaks and white feather caps, they inhabit the Antarctic Peninsula and islands of the frozen mainland, according to National Geographic.
They are the third tallest limbs in the penguin world, reaching a height of 30 inches and a weight of 12 pounds.
Gentoo parents often form lasting bonds and are very nurturing. At breeding time, both parents will work to build a circular nest of stones, grass, moss and feathers.
Edinburgh Zoo penguins can be seen on its ‘penguin camera’
The mother then lays two eggs that both parents take turns incubating for over a month.
Edinburgh Zoo is home to over 100 penguins of three species: the king, the northern jumper and the gentoo.
The zoo’s penguin camera offers a view of the gentoo nesting rings and can be viewed 24 hours a day on edinburghzoo.org.uk/webcams/penguin-cam.
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Source: news.sky.com
This notice was published: 2021-05-08 12:53:00
