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Not many people still realize that because they see some animals, that means they have a flourishing population. That is totally untrue because many of them are endangered, and it’s only a rare opportunity that some of them are still in plain sight. One of these animals yet to be properly identified as endangered is the Penguins.
Penguins are one of the jolliest creatures on earth because they are adorable, admirable, and fun-loving. However, these flightless birds are currently going through a decline in population due to several factors. Therefore, the concept of celebrating World Penguin Day out of the many holidays in the year is an incredible one.
The History of Penguin’s Day
In the earliest times, it was discovered that as winter approached, Penguins moved from one location (South) to another (North) in search of food and other necessary things for survival. It was first observed from a unique species of penguins called the Adélie Pengiuns – a native of Antarctica.
The World’s first Penguin Day was celebrated in McMurdo Station, Ross Island. It is an American Research Center dedicated to studying living creatures in the environment and how they respond to changing climates or conditions.
The researchers observed the first migration of these Adélie Penguins up North and decided to mark that day for the celebration of the flightless birds.
Even though only one unique species of penguins was observed to have migrated, the researchers took it as a point to celebrate all other identified species of this animal. According to research, there are about 20 identified species of this creature, out of which 10 are endangered, while 3 are threatened due to several factors.
When is Penguin Day?
World Penguin Day is April 25th every year. This day was the exact date researchers noticed the northern migration of the birds.
On this day, individuals and organizations come out en massé to celebrate these important creatures, known to have withstood some of the fiercest conditions and still survived.
What to Do on National Penguin Day?
There are several things to do on World Penguin Day. As long as the day’s activities agree with the theme of creating awareness about the magnificent creatures, you are good to go.
Some of the things to do on that day include creating campaigns, visiting a zoo, wearing penguin-themed t-shirts and caps, posting with hashtags on social media, etc. There are also films and documentaries about Penguins that you can stay home to watch with friends and family.
Read on World Octopus Day here.
What Has Contributed to the Decline in Penguin Population?
Penguins live on land, but they are also sea animals. They rely on the world oceans for food. Unfortunately, the oceans face a major threat, significantly affecting lives on land and in water. The pollution of these water bodies has decreased the population of some marine animals (prey), which has ultimately affected other animals (predators) that depend on them for food.
For Penguins, overfishing and pollution are causative factors to the decline in population growth. Oil spills from industries and harsh chemicals that wash up to the ocean have affected their population, causing them to migrate or die eventually.
On the other hand, they are not directly affected by climate change. However, this climate change causes food shortages, forcing them to relocate somewhere else where it is available.
What are the Top 6 Facts About Penguins?
In a bid to support National Penguin Day, you should keep informed on what Penguins really are. Below is a description of 6 interesting facts about them.
They Grow Up to 23 Kg
Penguins are large creatures. The average adult weighs 23kg but gains more weight as time goes by. However, there has been an interesting course of events, resulting in a decrease and increase in population size. Emperor Penguins (or Emperors) are known to be the largest species of this flightless bird, while the Rockhoppers are the smallest.
Emperors weigh up to 35kg, while Rockhoppers weigh 12 inches on average.
They are Flightless Birds with Down Feathers
Penguins are flightless birds, making them have feathers different from regular birds. They have down feathers – short and woolly, with an oil-layered, water-resistant covering.
Penguins are Great Swimmers and Huddlers
One of the many ways penguins have survived through these times is their huddling and swimming abilities. A group of penguins surround themselves to provide warmth and get through cold conditions together. This huddling technique is also one of their specialties when taking care of their eggs.
On the other hand, they make up for their flightless nature by swimming at an average speed between 11 and 15 mph.
They Speak
Well, not in the exact way or language you would understand, but penguins communicate using sign language. They are intelligent animals who know how to use their heads and flippers to communicate effectively. There are even proven shreds of evidence that they make about 6 vocal calls to describe their feelings, i.e., anger, loneliness, or hunger.
Penguins Have a Unique Physiology
One of the greatest, interesting things about their physiology is that they have knees. Even though these knees are small, bony, and hidden, they are useful when necessary – for instance, for sliding on their belly on ice. These knees are hidden under the feathers.
They are Family Creatures
Lastly, penguins are family creatures because couples live together. If the couples bear young ones, they raise them together. The fathers are often involved in seeking food, and protecting them against harsh weather, while the mothers go out for 14 days to arrange food for her laid eggs.
Conclusion
Endangered species deserve all the recognition they can get to be protected at all costs. With the annual celebration of Penguins, many people are starting to become aware of them and their environmental impact. If you would like to get involved in the next one, take some time to read more about penguins and every other thing about them.
