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It is #PenguinAwarenessDay, so naturally I would like to make you aware of penguins, but also the significance they hold for me
Let's take a journey
Let's take a journey
First off, how many penguin species are there? What do you think?
We'll come back to this later
We'll come back to this later
Penguins are my favourite animal, always have been. Since being really small, I was fascinated, and there's a family video of me having a conversation with the rockhoppers at @EdinburghZoo
This is down to my grandparents.
This is down to my grandparents.
My great grandparents would read me The Living Planet, by David Attenborough.
I was fascinated, this book holds a special place in my heart. So much so that @f_osis got me a new copy signed by the wonderful man himself
Books are powerful
I was fascinated, this book holds a special place in my heart. So much so that @f_osis got me a new copy signed by the wonderful man himself
Books are powerful
Penguins are found almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with one species, being found near the equator.
The Galapagos penguin https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/galapagos-penguin
The Galapagos penguin https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/galapagos-penguin
They fish in the oceans, which are incredibly salty places to live.
But because of special glands around their eye sockets, they are able to safely drink salt water that would cause us to be quite unwell.
These glands remove excess salt which is sent out through their nostrils
But because of special glands around their eye sockets, they are able to safely drink salt water that would cause us to be quite unwell.
These glands remove excess salt which is sent out through their nostrils
The majority of penguin species are under threat, with climate change, pollution and bycatch as part of industrial fishing being a major problem for them
But some of my favourite conservation efforts and citizen science projects involve these loveable little creatures!
But some of my favourite conservation efforts and citizen science projects involve these loveable little creatures!
Penguin Poo from Outer Space. It's possible to take part in surveying off penguins, by looking at their poo using satellites.
Looking for some to do? Well why not take a peek at penguin faeces and contribute to real research https://www.space.com/penguins-search-galaxy-zoo-citizen-science-during-coronavirus.html
Looking for some to do? Well why not take a peek at penguin faeces and contribute to real research https://www.space.com/penguins-search-galaxy-zoo-citizen-science-during-coronavirus.html
All that counting reminds me to come back to the number of species there are
This is something that is up for debate, &the number is changing. In 2020, researchers at @UniofBath have suggested that Gentoo penguins may actually be four distinct species! http://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/gentoo-penguins-are-four-species-not-one-say-scientists/
This is something that is up for debate, &the number is changing. In 2020, researchers at @UniofBath have suggested that Gentoo penguins may actually be four distinct species! http://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/gentoo-penguins-are-four-species-not-one-say-scientists/
And finally, my favourite fact. There is a penguin at Edinburgh Zoo who has a Knighthood from the Kingdom of Norway
Sir Nils Olav, a King penguin, was knighted in 2008 and promoted to the position of Brigadier in 2016
Why? I mean, why not?
Sir Nils Olav, a King penguin, was knighted in 2008 and promoted to the position of Brigadier in 2016
Why? I mean, why not?
So, I hope you are now aware of penguins. I encourage everyone to become more aware as time goes on, because they really are the best animals in the world.
