Can you provide some information on coral reefs?

Many people mistakenly believe that coral reefs are made of rocks.  In fact, coral reefs are made by millions of tiny animals called coral polyps.  They have a soft, sac-like body with one end closed and the other opening at a mouth surrounded by tentacles with stinging cells.  Each coral polyp secretes a hard, protective limestone skeleton.  Over thousands of years, the accumulation of skeletal material forms a coral reef.

The coral reefs thrive on the sea bed.  They are so rich in animal life that they have been called the ‘rainforests of the sea’.  A great variety of small colourful fish live around the reef as well as animals like nudibranchs (sea slugs), sea anemones, sea urchins and starfish.  There are three types of reefs:  fringe reefs, barrier reefs and atolls.  To survive, corals need warm water, sunlight, and clear shallow water.

Are sharks an endangered species?

There are 380 species of sharks in the world.  Several of these have been classified as endangered species by IUCN – the World Conservation Union, including the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark.

Sharks do not breed as fast as other fish.  Hence, too much fishing reduces their numbers with millions being killed for their meat and fins.  The other threats are drowning in gill nets, direct and incidental catch by commercial fishing, sport fishing, pollution, and habitat degradation.

Do sharks attack humans?

Many people think that all sharks are dangerous animals.  However, only a few have been known to attack humans.  The great white shark is the most dangerous and has been known to attack humans and fishing boats.  This happens only when they are being provoked or sense some danger.

Do penguins have teeth?

No.  Penguins, like all other birds, do not have teeth.  The chicks do have an egg tooth, but this is not a real tooth, rather a sharp bump on the top surface of the bill which is used to break the egg when hatching.

Penguins do have rearward-pointing, tooth-like barbs on the tongue and roof of the mouth.  These are not used for chewing, but instead assist in the swallowing of their slippery prey.

How long do penguins live?

Most species have an average life expectancy of about 10 years, although some individuals occasionally live for up to 25 years.

How deep can a penguin dive?

The ability of a penguin to dive is related to its size – the bigger the penguin the longer it can hold its breath and the deeper it can dive.   The Blue penguins (the smallest) can only manage 2 minutes and a maximum depth of 60m, while the Emperor penguins (the largest) can dive for up to 18 minutes and reach 550m in depth.

Why are penguins black and white?

The strategy of having a dark dorsal (upper) surface and a white ventral (lower) surface is one that has been adopted by many marine animals.  Predators looking down see the penguin as a dark shape on a dark background and predators looking up see a light shape on a light background – the most effective camouflage for an animal that spends most of its time at or near the surface.

How do penguins feed their young?

Penguins store food in their stomach and it is regurgitated to the chicks.  The adults do not feed each other and may stay ashore without feeding for many days.

How do penguins reproduce?

Pretty much in the same way that all other birds reproduce – the female is mounted by the male and sperm passes from cloaca to cloaca.  The egg is fertilized at ovulation, but yolk development starts 14-17 days before this.  After that the albumen (white) and shell are added and the egg moves down the oviduct.  The whole process  takes around 23 days.  The second egg is laid after 3-4 days.

Do penguins fly?

No.  Penguins use their wings (called flippers) to propel themselves through water rather than air.  Because water is much denser than air, penguin wings are shorter and stouter than the wings of flying birds.  Penguins are also much heavier than similar sized flying birds and have solid bones rather than weight-saving air-filled bones.  While these characteristics enable penguins to efficiently “fly” through water, they have had to sacrifice the ability to fly in air to do so.

Do penguins have feathers or fur?

Like all other birds, penguins have feathers.  Penguin feathers are short, overlapping and densely packed.  The outer part of the feather is waterproof while the inner down section traps an insulating layer of air, keeping the penguin warm in the sometimes freezing water.  Unlike those of flying birds, the feathers on a penguin's wings are very short.

Do all penguins live in the South Pole?

Penguins actually live in the South Pole but two species do live on the edges of the Antarctic continent.  The islands of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic support the largest number of species.  There are several species that live in temperate climates and one at the Equator (the Galapagos penguin).  No penguins live in the northern hemisphere.

How do penguins stay warm?

The Emperor penguin is the only penguin that has to cope with extreme cold. Like all penguins, the Emperor has a thick layer of insulating feathers which are designed to keep them warm in the water, considering that heat loss in water is much greater than in air.  In addition to this, the Emperor has the largest body mass of all penguins, which further reduces relative surface area and heat loss.  They also are able to control blood flow to their extremities, reducing the amount of blood which gets cold, but still keeping the extremities from freezing.  In the intense Antarctic winter, the male Emperor penguins (the females are at  sea) huddle together to keep warm and rotate position to make sure everyone gets a turn at being on the cold edge.

Getting cold is not really a problem for most penguin species; most have trouble staying cool when out of the water.  Penguins often hold their flippers out to radiate heat and make their feathers stand up to flush out some of the warm air trapped within. Some species have bare patches of skin on the face with which to radiate heat, while others nest underground or in forests.

What do penguins eat?

The diet of penguins varies between species and in some cases, location.  The diet includes a wide range of fish, squid, octopus and euphausids (shrimp-like animals).  Some species of penguins, target surface – schooling fish species while others are mid-water or bottom feeders.

Is photography allowed at UWL?  Are there any charges?

Yes you are allowed to take photos of our exhibits at no extra cost.  However, most of the animals are sensitive to camera flashes so camera flash must be switched off.

Who is eligible for discounts?

Discounts are given for MyCard and MyKid holders, Government Servants and University/College Students who produce their ID Card.  Group discounts are also available for those who write in, including schools.

Will I be allowed to feed the penguins/seals etc?

No.  To ensure the safety of the exhibits and the public, touching and feeding are not allowed except for the koi pond area.  Furthermore, entering their surrounding will disturb their habitats.

Are there any facilities for the disabled?

We do provide facilities for the disabled such as wheel chairs, elevator and ramps along walkways.  

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