Penguin Watch Talk

Lines and red

  • ChuckS11 by ChuckS11

    What is going on here to create those straight white lines with what looks to be traces of red, I am assuming is fish.

    Posted

  • AvastMH by AvastMH moderator

    Hi ChuckS11 , I replied to your comment on the pictures. Other volunteers might be wondering too. Penguins poop at high pressures to get the acidic poop away from their feathers. Poop would destroy the oils that make the feathers waterproof. The penguins move around the nest probably dependant on the win d or sun direction. thus the white lines go out in all directions.

    When penguins eat krill (like small shrimp) their poop goes red. When that lands on another penguin it can look like an injury.

    Some penguins sit very close to each other, so you will see penguins covered in poop at times. They will get themselves sorted out and beautifully clean on their next trip to sea.

    Take a very few minutes to work through our treasure trove of marking tips and information in the FAQs (on the Discussion Boards).

    Thanks for you help! 😃

    Posted