Wednesday, 19th July 2006

I learnt something new today. So,i thought of sharing it with those of u who read my blog..

FAIRY PENGUINS

The world's smallest penguins living in Syndey Harbour are currently facing endangerment and alot of people( including myself! ) do not even know tt they exist. These penguins are only about 40cm tall in height. These penguins are opportunists at heart,not shy about moving into territories occupied by other. They only come ashore under the cover of darkness and live underground in burrows.

They live year-round in large colonies, with each individual breeding pair forming a burrow in which to raise their chicks (of which two are born at a time). They feed by hunting fish, squid, and other small sea animals, for which they travel and dive quite extensively.

Whilst not endangered as a whole, colonies in areas with significant human activity are under some threat from pollution and feral animals. In Australia , they were once common along the southern coast line but the introduction of domestic cats has dramatically reduced their viable habitat. They are now primarily restricted to cat free islands off the coast.

I'm completely charmed by this little creatures, perhaps coz of the way they walk (waddle,rather! ) =)