Weighing Prague Zoo’s Penguin Chick

The little Humboldt penguin as its taken to be weighed. The time it is removed from its parents’ nest in the Penguin House is kept as short as possible, usually two to three minutes. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo

Jakub Mezei, head penguin keeper, said, “When the penguin hatched, it weighed 78 grams, now it is almost 450 grams. It often gains up to 30 grams a day, which means it is doing very well indeed. It’s currently getting pre-digested food from its parents, who are exemplary in feeding it. Sometimes it’s to such an extent that the chick, which is covered in down, looks stuffed to bursting. But that only makes us the more happy,” added Mezei.

Penguin young become independent at four to six months. That’s when they they start to eat fish from the keepers – mostly sea fish such as sprats or capelin. They bear their juvenile coat for a long time, making the young readily recognizable. It isn’t until they are 18 months that they acquire their parents’ iconic “tuxedo”. They can only be sexed by analysing their DNA.

There are currently 27 Humboldt penguins at Prague Zoo. The best time to see them is when they are being fed in the Penguin House’s outdoor exhibition. Over the winter season, they are always fed on weekends at 11 a.m. and it is accompanied by a talk about their lives.

Prague Zoo’s little Humboldt penguin is currently gaining around 30-35 grams per day. Photo: Petr Hamerník, Prague Zoo