He’s only nine months old, but he already weighs more than his parents! Baby penguin ‘Pesto’ is not only enchanting visitors to Australia’s Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, the bundle of joy is also causing a stir on the internet.
“Pesto” has accumulated a lot of baby fat. The king penguin chick already weighs 22.5 kilos, twice as much as its relatives and even adults.
“Greatest girl we’ve ever seen here”
To maintain his fighting weight, the fluffy baby bird eats 25 fish a day. “He has a hearty appetite,” the aquarium says on its website. “He is officially the largest chick we have ever seen here.” At 90 centimetres long, he towers over all the other penguins in the enclosure, including his biological father, Blake, who was previously considered the largest of his kind in Melbourne. Aquarium.
Pesto is being raised by his foster parents Tango and Hudson, who each weigh less than twelve kilos. His keeper Michelala Smale stressed that he was already almost as heavy as they both combined.
Thanks to the giant chick, the aquarium has been able to increase its popularity – “Pesto” has become a real social media star. This is also reflected in the number of visitors: “With his mesmerizing waddle, Pesto is a real crowd pleaser,” explains the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium.
Here is “Pesto” waddling through the enclosure:
Heavyweight is in good health
But his weight is nothing to worry about. According to vets, “Pesto” is in excellent health – and the amount of food he eats is also fine.
The chick will probably shrink to a normal weight
“Pesto” still has the fluffy brown plumage typical of king penguin offspring, which underlines his bulbous appearance. As he sheds this over the coming months and dons his black and white “tuxedo” outfit, experts say he will lose significant weight and bulk. “Once the baby feathers fall out, he will shrink like a balloon and be slim and beautiful – and ready to take his first steps in the pool,” a nurse explains.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
