Wild Side: Tanganyika's fuzzy baby penguins are growing fast
Jan 15, 2025
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) -- Tanganyika Wildlife Park brought two baby African penguins to KSN News at Noon on Wednesday. Both are covered in fuzz, but not for long.
Kiana Lucero with Tanganyika Wildlife Park said the down feathering will come off, and waterproof feathering will grow. After that happens, the chicks will be able to swim.
Six chicks hatched at the end of 2024, but Lucero says she doesn't know their genders yet. That will be determined by getting blood samples. After the results come back, then Tanganyika can name the penguins.
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Lucero said African penguins grow about 10% of their body weight daily until fully grown.
African penguins, also called black-footed penguins, eat a variety of prey from the sea. They can hold their breath for over two minutes and dive over 400 feet deep to find food.
In the wild, they are found off the coast of South Africa. They like warm weather between 40 and 70 degrees. Only five of the 19 species of penguins live in colder climates.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park is closed for the season and will open in March. Until then, visitors can schedule meet and greets with some of the park's animals. Click here for more details.