What are 5 interesting facts about penguins?
Penguins are the starring attraction of Phillip Island’s aptly named “Penguin Parade”. It’s the moment when these adorable little penguins come waddling up the beachfront after a day’s fishing, hopefully taking back a catch to their little penguin families!
Like all of Australia’s adorable and unique wildlife, these little penguins have some interesting facts you may be interested in learning before your trip to the amazing Phillip Island.
So, with further ado, here are five interesting facts about little penguins that make them all the more loveable!
1. They can dive real deep for a feed
Little penguins spend their days searching for delicious fishies to take home to their burrows at night. They usually love to go for a fish in the shallow waters, but sometimes find themselves diving deep down in search for their one and only desire – a meal!
How far, well, a massive 263 feet! This being said, they don’t want to find themselves down there for too long, as they can only stay underwater for a top of two minutes, so they have to get the job done quick!
2. They are carnivorous
Don’t let their cuteness fool you: penguins subsist on nothing more than meat. They don’t go for that new age seaweed diet, they are out for fish, squid and krill, and they’ll be absolutely shattered if they don’t find it!
3. They are at Phillip Island to stay
Phillip Island’s little penguin population has little intention of migrating elsewhere – they are stationary birds who love their home and want to stay there. After all, how could they open up the legendary Penguin Parade if there was a chance those cheeky little penguins would go flying off for half the year?
4. They parade at night
Other species of penguins love to come in when it’s still daylight, but not the little penguin! They’re all about staying in the water as long as it takes to go home with a delicious meal for their families, and this is why the Penguin Parade runs every night around sundown.
5. They have nine forms of comms
The little penguin makes around nine sounds to communicate with their fellow little penguins, with sounds ranging from sharp barking sounds when the penguin heads out to sea and large yelps when the penguin is in trouble!
