Gentoo Penguins
Did You Know? The gentoo penguins are the fastest swimming penguins, reaching speeds of 22 miles per hour.
The gentoo penguins are one of the latest additions to the Riverbanks Zoo, and can be found in the zoo’s birdhouse.
The gentoo penguins are timid with other species but can be aggressive and will fight over stones and nest building materials from the other birds’ nests. Gentoo penguins stay with the same mate for years and sometimes for life.
While gentoo penguins are not endangered, they are considered vulnerable with only 300,000 breeding pairs in the wild.
RANGE: Distribution between 50 and 60 degrees south and on scattered sub-Antarctic islands. The main colonies are on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and Kerguelen Islands.
HABITAT: Inland and coastal colonies are generally found on flat and gently sloping land towards the sea.
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10-15 years in the wild and up to 30 years in captivity.
BEHAVIOR: Gentoo penguins are timid and avoid aggressive interaction with other species.
DIET IN WILD: Opportunistic feeders, they prey equally on krill and fish.
DIET IN ZOO: In the zoo environment, the penguins are fed herring, capelin and krill.