Little Penguinコガタペンギン

Eudyptula minorLC— Least Concern

The little penguin is the smallest living penguin species, found along the coasts of southern Australia and New Zealand, where it is the only penguin known to raise two broods in a single breeding season. It hunts small schooling fish and squid at sea and returns to its burrow only after dark. Although listed as Least Concern overall, some local populations have collapsed due to introduced predators, oil spills, and fishing gear.

Little Penguin (reference photo)
Photo: JJ Harrison / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Sphenisciformes / Spheniscidae Source
Size
Total length about 36–43 cm (the smallest living penguin)
Weight
About 1 kg
Lifespan
Wild: 6–20 years / captive: 20–25 years (record 26 years)
Diet
Piscivore Carnivorous; depending on location, eats small sardines, anchovies, krill, and similar prey
Distribution
Found across southern Australia and around Otago, New Zealand, with Tasmania hosting the largest population. Source

Did You Know?

  • The smallest living penguin, it is also the only penguin species known to lay two clutches in a single breeding season. Source
  • Linux creator Linus Torvalds' encounter with a little penguin is said to have inspired the Tux mascot. Source
  • The 1995 Iron Baron oil spill killed an estimated 25,000 little penguins off Tasmania. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 6

How to tell Penguins apart →

Nagasakipengin SuizokukanNagasakiOpened in 2001

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Tokyo Sea Life ParkTokyoOpened in 1989

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AOAO SAPPOROHokkaidoAbout 3 minutes on foot from Odori Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway Namboku, Tozai, and Toho Lines.

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Adventure WorldWakayamaOpened in 1978

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Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea ParadiseKanagawaThe nearest station is Hakkeijima Station on the Seaside Line (connecting from Kanazawa-Hakkei Station on the Keikyu Line or Shin-Sugita Station on the JR Negishi Line).

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SENDAI UMINO-MORI AQUARIUMMiyagiOpened in 2015

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Latest news

2

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Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Least Concern (LC)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Why is the little penguin unique among penguin species?
It is the smallest living penguin species and the only one known to lay two clutches in a single breeding season. Source
When do little penguins come ashore?
They are the only penguin species that is strictly nocturnal on land, returning to their burrows only after dusk. Source
What is Linux's connection to the little penguin?
Linux creator Linus Torvalds' encounter with a little penguin is said to have inspired Tux, the Linux mascot. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?
Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 6 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org