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| little_penguin [2023/07/12 19:21] – zookeeper | little_penguin [2023/07/12 19:21] (current) – zookeeper |
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| Species: MINOR, NOVAEHOLLANDIAE? | Species: MINOR, NOVAEHOLLANDIAE? |
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| {{ :littlepenguins.png?nolink&800|}} | {{ :littlepenguins.png?nolink&600|}} |
| **A**s implied by its name, the smallest of all penguins. The species, reaching only some 40 centimetres in height, is native to costal regions of South Australia, as well as New Zealand. As well as 'Little Penguin', the bird has received other names, such as 'fairy penguin' or 'blue penguin', which reference its tiny size and bluish colour. Peculiarly, although the other species of penguin are thought to have originated around Australia, many of these have since established populations elsewhere, such as Antarctica. However, in the case of the Little Penguin, its ancestors seemingly stayed in Oceania, with little competition probably leading to its tiny size. | **A**s implied by its name, the smallest of all penguins. The species, reaching only some 40 centimetres in height, is native to costal regions of South Australia, as well as New Zealand. As well as 'Little Penguin', the bird has received other names, such as 'fairy penguin' or 'blue penguin', which reference its tiny size and bluish colour. Peculiarly, although the other species of penguin are thought to have originated around Australia, many of these have since established populations elsewhere, such as Antarctica. However, in the case of the Little Penguin, its ancestors seemingly stayed in Oceania, with little competition probably leading to its tiny size. |
| Various sub-species of the little penguin are known. These include //E. m. iredalei// – of Northern areas of the North Island of New Zealand, and //E. m. variabilis//, found on southern areas of the North Island and also in the Cook Strait. //E. m. minor// is found on western areas of the South Island and also on Stewart Island, //E. m. albosignata// on eastern areas of the South Island, and //E. m. chathamensis// on Chatham Island. Traditionally, the subspecies of the little penguin number six, including //E. m. novaehollandiae// of southern Australia and Tasmania, south of Australia – but recent studies suggest that the Australian Little Penguin may be distinct enough that it is a species of its own accord. Albeit, many authorities are yet to classify it as such. Of the living penguin genera, the Little Penguin are seemingly most closely related to the ‘banded penguins’ of genus Spheniscus. The two may have diverged some 20 million years ago. Once, most little penguins were found on the Australian mainland – today, the largest colonies are found on Montague, Tollgate and Brush Islands – off the eastern coast of Australia. | Various sub-species of the little penguin are known. These include //E. m. iredalei// – of Northern areas of the North Island of New Zealand, and //E. m. variabilis//, found on southern areas of the North Island and also in the Cook Strait. //E. m. minor// is found on western areas of the South Island and also on Stewart Island, //E. m. albosignata// on eastern areas of the South Island, and //E. m. chathamensis// on Chatham Island. Traditionally, the subspecies of the little penguin number six, including //E. m. novaehollandiae// of southern Australia and Tasmania, south of Australia – but recent studies suggest that the Australian Little Penguin may be distinct enough that it is a species of its own accord. Albeit, many authorities are yet to classify it as such. Of the living penguin genera, the Little Penguin are seemingly most closely related to the ‘banded penguins’ of genus Spheniscus. The two may have diverged some 20 million years ago. Once, most little penguins were found on the Australian mainland – today, the largest colonies are found on Montague, Tollgate and Brush Islands – off the eastern coast of Australia. |
