Top ten facts about our cheekiest penguin species - the Gentoo Penguin!
- Tuesday 10th December 2024
- Penguins
Here are our top ten facts about this small bird with the mighty personality! (Meet our penguins here)
1. Their reproduction practices are very particular
These penguins are known for building pebble nests in breeding season, these can measure almost 8 inches high! They also tend to live in large colonies near the coast.
2. They prefer to live in areas that are only partially covered by ice, or even have no ice at all!
Being an island-bird, Gentoo Penguins usually dwell around lowlands of islands.
3. They're known for their courtship
Their pebble-giving behaviour is pretty quirky and fun to watch. It's common for males to collect pebbles in their beaks to then give to females in exchange for favours.
4. They're speedy swimmers!
Gentoo Penguins are capable of reaching speeds of 36km/h - making them the fastest swimmers among the seventeen species of penguins!
5. They have many predators in the wild, unfortunately
Gentoo penguins are exposed to dangers as they wander into the water in search of food. They stand a good risk of becoming prey when sea lions, orcas, and sea leopards cruise the waters close to the penguin-inhabited territory to snag a penguin.
Ever wanted to get up close and personal with penguins? Nows your chance with our Penguin Encounter Experience! Book today!
6. Apart from being hunted, they also have many other threats
Global warming is one of the biggest challenges facing Gentoo communities. Because of melting Antarctic ice and rising sea levels, the locations where these penguins dwell are becoming increasingly inaccessible.
7. They have a unique feeding behaviour
Being opportunistic eaters, the Gentoo penguins’ diet is greatly influenced by the season and their surroundings. The majority of their diet consists of tiny crustaceans like krill.
8. They're decent divers!
The penguins routinely dive to a depth of around 200 metresin search of food and can stay below for about 7 minutes at a time!
9. They're usually friendly - in fact, one of the most friendly species of penguins!
Apart from guarding their nests or eggs, these penguins are incredibly social and hardly ever behave aggressively toward one another or penguins of other species.
10. They moult at certain times of the year
They undergo a process known as moulting, which lasts around 25 days, between December and March, during which they lose between 40 and 55 per cent of their body mass.
Want some more facts on Penguins? Check them out here!
You can see most of these quirks and some other fun ones when you come in to see our penguins! Get up close on our Penguin Boat Ride, or opt to jump on the ice with the penguins on our Penguin Encounter, and learn more from our dedicated penguin keepers!
Learn moreOnline From
$39
Per Adult
Up To
$56
Per Adult
- Price includes Digi Photo Pass with 8 digital photos included – valued at $26!
- Get your ticket on your phone
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Ticket Type Peak/On the day SAVE 25% - Pre-book online in advance on weekdays High-demand pricing Adult From $53 From $39 $56
Child (3-15 yrs) From $40 From $28.60 $42 Student or Senior* From $41 From $30.40 $43 Child (0-2 yrs) FREE FREE FREE *All concession holders must have a valid concession/student/health care card to gain access to the attraction with a Student/Senior ticket.
*Please note peak includes school holidays from other Australian states and public holidays.
Please note: Our ticket pricing is subject to available capacity and prices may fluctuate during periods of high demand.
- Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult (18+)
- Guarantee entry by booking online
Online From
$199
Per Adult
- Get up close to our cheeky Gentoo and King penguins
- A truly unique 45 minutes, with 15 minutes on the ice and behind the scenes experience (age 14+)
- All day aquarium admission included
Online From
$159
Per Adult
Standard
$199
Per Adult
- Special Annual Passholder discount
- Get up close to our cheeky Gentoo and King penguins
- A truly unique 45 minutes experience, with 15 minutes on the ice and behind the scenes experience (age 14+)
Online From
$199
Per Adult
- Get up close to our cheeky Gentoo and King penguins
- A truly unique 45 minutes experience, with 15 minutes on the ice and behind the scenes experience (age 14+)
- All day aquarium admission included