Term
| List the 7 characteristics of Birds. |
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Definition
The 7 characteristics of birds are:
1. Have Feathers
2. Have paired modified forelimbs - Wings
3. Breathe air with lungs
4. Warm Blooded
5. Scaly feet and talons
6. Have a Beak or Bill
7. Lays eggs |
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Term
| How many species of Penguins are there? What species do we have at SeaWorld? |
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Definition
| There are 18 species of Penguins. At Seaworld, We have 4 species on display, King Penguins (2nd largest), Gentoo Penguins (3rd largest and fastest swimmer), Chinstrap Penguins (most numerous), and Rockhoppers (2nd smallest, smallest of the crested penguins). We also have Magellanic Penguins behind the scenes since they live in a temperate habitat and our exhibit is a subarctic habitat. |
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Term
| In what hemisphere are penguins found? |
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Definition
| All 18 species are found in the Southern Hemisphere. |
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Term
| Name the 5 large land masses where penguins can be found. |
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Definition
| Penguins can be found on Antarctica, South America, Africa, Australia, New Zealand. |
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Term
| Penguins are on the "Austral" cycle. What does this mean? |
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Definition
| The Austral cycle is the seasonal cycle of the Southern hemisphere. The seasons are opposite those of the Northern Hemisphere. |
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Term
| What coloration do penguins have? |
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Definition
| Penguins have a counter-shaded color pattern. They have a dark dorsal side and a light ventral side. |
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Term
| Are penguins sexually dimorphic? |
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Definition
| No, you can not tell a male penguin from a female penguin from their outward appearance with the exception of crested penguins. Males are more robust with a larger bill. |
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Term
| How are penguin wings adapted for swimming? |
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Definition
| Penguin wings are modified into paddle like flippers with short-scale like feathers. The bones of their wings are flattened and broadened with the joints of the elbow and wrist almost fused to form a tapered, flat flipper for swimming. |
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Term
| How does a penguin use it bill for feeding? |
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Definition
| A penguin uses it bill for feeding to catch prey. The rear directed spines in their mouth help in swallowing their live prey whole. |
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Term
| How does the shape of a Penguin's bill indicate its diet? |
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Definition
| You can tell the diet of the penguin by the shape of the bill. A long, thin billed penguin eats primarily fish ( Emperor and King) while a short stout billed penguin feeds mainly on krill (rockhopper). |
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Term
| What is the function of a nictitating membrane? |
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Definition
| The nictitating membrane is a clear covering that protects the eye from injury. It is sometimes called the third eyelid. |
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Term
| How many feathers per square inch does the average penguin have? |
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Definition
| The average penguin has about 100 feathers per square inch. One square inch is about the same size as a bottlecap. |
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Term
| Describe a penguin's molt. |
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Definition
| Most penguin go through one molt each year usually after breeding season. The new feather grows under the old one but the old feather does not fall out until new feather is completely in place. During the molt, feathers lose some of their insulating qualities so penguins will stay out of the water and fast until their plumage is restored to its optimum condition. The average length of the molt ranges from 13 to 35 days depending on species. |
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Term
| Why is penguin molting an essential adaptation? |
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Definition
| Molting is essential because feathers wear out during the year. Feathers become worn when penguins rub against each other, come in contact with the ground and water, and regularly preen their feathers. |
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Term
| Why do penguins have dense bones? |
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Definition
| The penguin's dense bones help them overcome buoyancy while they dive. |
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Term
| How does the porpoising behavior give penguins an advantage in the water? |
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Definition
| Porpoising gives penguins an advantage in the water by allowing them to breathe while swimming and not interrupting forward motion and it may also confuse predators. |
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Term
| What physiological adaptations do penguins have to accommodate deeper dives? |
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Definition
To accommodate deeper dives a penguin has several adaptations such as:
a streamlined body to reduce drag,
modified wings for propulsion,
webbed feet for steering and stopping,
dense bones to overcome buoyancy.
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Term
| How do penguins get rid of excess salt so they can drink sea water? |
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Definition
| Penguins have glands under the eyes to help rid the body of excess salt. The secretion of salt and fluid often collect as droplets on their bill and are shaken off. These glands are so effective the penguin can drink sea water with no ill effects. |
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Term
| List 9 possible adaptations that penguins have to stay warm. |
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Definition
Penguins adaptations for staying warm :
1. Overlapping feathers, highly compacted together.
2. Tuck flippers close to their bodies and may also shiver to generate heat.
3.Fat layer improves insulation in the water and must remain active to generate body heat.
4. Dark plumage on dorsal side absorbs heat from the sun to increase body temperature.
5. Tip up their feet and rest their weight in their heels and tails
6. Huddle together to conserve heat, continually move into the center giving each penguin equal access to warmth from huddling.
7. Recapture 80% of the heat escaping in their breathe through a complex heat exchange in their nasal passage.
8. Circulatory system adjusts to conserve or release body heat to maintain body temperature. A countercurrent heat exchange helps ensure heat remains in the body.
9. Tufts of down on feather shafts trap air for insulation. |
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Term
| Describe the Ecstatic Courtship display of a penguin. |
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Definition
| The male may dip its head low and then stretch its head and neck upward with flippers outstretched and squawk or "bray". This display establishes possession of a nest site, attracts females and warns other males to stay away. The Ecstatic courtship display is also called trumpeting, head swinging or advertisement. |
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Term
| Describe the Mutual Ecstatic Courtship display of a penguin. |
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Definition
| The Mutual Ecstatic Display is performed by the male and female once the penguins pair. This display seems to strengthen the pair bond, coordinate nesting behavior and advertise a nesting territory. The mutual display is similar to the ecstatic display - head and neck stretched outward with a braying vocal. |
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Term
| Describe the Bowing Courtship display of a penguin. |
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Definition
| The Bowing display may lessen the likelihood of aggression and strengthen recognition between partners. One or both penguins dips its head and points its bill at the nest or at the other bird's bill. The call is a low hiss or growl. |
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Term
| Are penguins monogamous or polygamous? |
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Definition
| Most penguins are monogamous with one male breeding with one female during the breeding season. |
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Term
| What is a penguin rookery? |
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Definition
| A rookery is a nesting colony. |
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Term
| What nesting materials do Chinstrap, Gentoo and Rockhopper penguins use? |
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Definition
| Chinstrap, Gentoo and rockhopper penguins use rookery rocks (stones) as nesting material. |
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Term
| How do Emperor and King Penguins incubate their eggs? |
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Definition
| Emperor and King penguins stand upright while incubating their single egg on top of their feet and under a loose fold of abdominal skin. Under this fold is a featherless patch of skin called a brood patch. The brood patch contains numerous blood vessels that when engorged with blood transfer body heat to the egg. |
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Term
| What type of nest does a Magellanic Penguin have? |
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Definition
| The Magellanic penguin nests underground in burrows. |
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Term
| What is unique about the shape of Emperor and King Penguin eggs? |
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Definition
| The Emperor and King Penguin eggs are pear shaped, so if the eggs falls from their feet it will roll in a circle instead of rolling away. |
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Term
| How many eggs are in a Penguin Clutch? |
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Definition
| A penguin clutch usually contains 2 eggs this presents a better chance of at least one chick surviving. Emperor and King Penguins only lay 1 egg. |
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Term
| Who incubates the eggs and cares for the Penguin chicks? |
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Definition
| Partners take turns incubating the eggs, allowing each mate to leave to feed for several days at a time. With the exception of the male Emperor penguin who incubates the egg while the female feeds returning around hatching time. Both parents care for the chicks. |
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Term
| How long does it take for a Penguin chick to pip? |
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Definition
| Chicks take up to 3 days to chip through their shell. |
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Term
| Describe a penguin chick's feathers. Are they waterproof? |
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Definition
| Chick's are covered with fine down feathers with the exception of the King penguin who hatches featherless and grows down feathers within a few weeks. Down feathers are not waterproof. |
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Term
| What is a Penguin creche? |
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Definition
| In some species, partially grown chicks gather in groups called creches which provide some protection from predators and the elements. |
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Term
| What does it means when a Penguin chick fledges? |
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Definition
| When as chick fledges, it leaves the colony to forage at sea and become independent. |
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Term
| How does a penguin keep from overheating? |
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Definition
| To keep from overheating penguins, move into shaded areas, pant, ruffle their feathers to break up the insulating layer of air next to the skin to release heat, and hold flippers away from their bodies. |
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Term
| Are penguins social birds? Describe. |
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Definition
| Penguins are the most social of all birds. They swim and feed in groups, nest in huge colonies called rookeries, and exhibit elaborate visual and vocal displays. |
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Term
| How do penguins communicate with each other? |
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Definition
| Penguins communicate by vocalizing and performing physical behaviors called displays. |
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Term
| Describe Penguin Preening. |
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Definition
| Penguins preen with their bills. A gland near the base of the tail secretes an oil that penguins distributes throughout its feathers. Penguins preen for several minutes in the water by rubbing their bodies with their flippers while twisting and turning. |
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Term
| How do penguins recognize individuals? |
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Definition
Penguin calls or vocalizations are individually identifiable.
There are 3 main kinds of penguin calls:
1. The contact call assists in the recognition of colony members.
2. The display call is the most complex of all the calls and is used between partners in a colony.
3. The threat call is the simplest and is used to defend territory and warn other colony members of predators. |
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Term
| What is the primary diet of most penguins? |
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Definition
| Most penguins eat krill, squids, and fishes. |
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Term
| Why do penguins go into fasting periods? How do they prepare for them? |
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Definition
| Penguins fast during breeding season because they do not leave nesting areas to feed and also during annual molting periods since they are unable to enter the water until their new feathers are complete and waterproof. The penguins prepare for molt by increasing their blubber layer which provides energy until the molt is over. Chicks fast near the time they shed juvenile feathers for adult feathers. |
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Term
| When is breeding season for most penguins? |
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Definition
| Most penguins breed during the Austral Spring through Summer. |
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Term
| When do Emperor Penguins breed? Why? |
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Definition
| Emperor Penguins breed during the Arctic Winter (June - August). Breeding during the harshest season ensure the chicks will become independent 5 months later(Jan-Feb)when environmental conditions are more favorable. |
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Term
| Which penguin has the longest breeding cycle? |
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Definition
| The King Penguin has the longest breeding cycle lasting 14-16 months. |
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Term
| Why is Preening important for Penguins? |
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Definition
| Penguins preen their feathers frequently. Feathers must be maintained in prime condition to ensure waterproofing and insulation. |
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Term
| What is the average penguin lifespan? |
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Definition
| The average life expectancy of a penguin is 15 to 20 years. |
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Term
| What preys on penguins in the water? |
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Definition
| When in water, penguins can be eaten by leopard seals, fur seals, Sea lions, sharks or killer whales. |
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Term
| What are penguins land predators? |
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Definition
| On land, foxes, snakes, feral dogs, cats and stoats prey on eggs and chicks. Antarctic and subantarctic eggs and chicks fall prey to predatory birds such as Antarctic Skuas, sheathbills and giant petrels. |
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Term
| How have humans impacted penguin populations? |
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Definition
Humans have impacted penguins populations by:
Hunting for meat and eggs
Collecting guano to use as a nitrogen based fertilizer.
Overfishing of penguin food sources
Climate change
Introduction of predators like rats, cats, dogs, pigs and ferrets
Road construction and building activities
Accidental catch in fishing gear
Oil Pollution
Contaminants and pesticides in their environment being ingested.
"Ecotourism" |
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Term
| How does the Antarctic Treaty protect penguins? |
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Definition
| The Antarctic Treaty makes it illegal to harm or in any way interfere with a penguin or its eggs. |
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Term
| What role do zoological parks play in Penguin conservation? |
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Definition
| Penguins in Zoological parks give guest the opportunity to observe and learn directly from the penguins increasing public awareness and appreciation of wildlife. The Species Survival Plan,a captive propagation and management program to preserve in zoos and aquariums selected species. SWGB Conservation Fund provides funding for many projects for the conservation of penguins. |
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Term
| How can you help conserve penguins at home? |
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Definition
| You can help conserve penguins at home by choosing certified seafood by the Marine Stewardship Council or Aquaculture Certification Council and by reducing energy usage at home, work and school. |
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Term
| How much ice/snow can be produced in the penguin habitat daily? |
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Definition
| Each day, 30,000 lbs of ice/snow can be produced using the 3 ice flakers in the habitat. Each ice flaker can produce 10,000 lbs. |
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Term
| What is the temperature and wind chill inside the penguin habitat? How cold is the water? |
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Definition
| The temperature in the penguin habitat is 38-40*F with a wind chill of 27*F. The water in the penguin habitat is 40-42*F |
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Term
| How do keepers tell the penguins apart? Why is this important? |
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Definition
| Each penguin has ID bands on their flippers/wings. It is important to identify individual penguins to monitor their health and medical records. |
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Term
| What role do the keepers have in raising penguin chicks? |
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Definition
| Keepers monitor the health of penguin chicks and get them used to being handled by aviculturists. |
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Term
| What happens if an egg needs to be pulled from Penguin parents? |
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Definition
| If a penguin egg needs to be pulled from the parents, it will be replaced with a dummy egg and the real egg will be incubated in the incubation room. |
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Term
| What is a dummy penguin egg? |
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Definition
| A dummy penguin egg is made of plaster and used by the penguins to practice with if their egg is pulled by the aviculturist. |
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Term
| Why is the penguin exhibit so dark in the summer? |
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Definition
| Our penguin habitat is on the "Austral " season cycle to recreate the seasonal light conditions in the Southern Hemisphere. San Antonio's summer is the penguins' winter having shorter periods of daylight and longer nights. |
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