We will explain the characteristics, ecology, and habitat of the snares penguin (long-billed penguin). This penguin is endemic to the Snares Islands, a sub-Antarctic island in New Zealand, and is a type of penguin that most people don’t see. Landing on the Snares Islands is prohibited and you will be observing the birds as they emerge from the shore from your boat.
Basic information about Snares Penguin
Snares penguin is a bird belonging to the genus Macaroni penguin. The scientific name is Eudyptes robustus. This penguin is 50-60cm long and is endemic to New Zealand. It is a rare species with a very limited habitat. Another name is the long-billed penguin.
| Japanese（和名） | スネアーズペンギン、ハシブトペンギン |
| English（英名） | Snares penguin |
| scientific name(学名) | Eudyptes robustus |
| classification（分類） | Sphenisciformes, Spheniscidae, Eudyptes ペンギン目ペンギン科マカロニペンギン属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | VULNERABLE |
| Height（身長） | 50-60cm |
| Weight（体重） | 2kg |
What will happen to the classification?
Snares penguins were first collected in 1874. It belongs to the genus Macaroni Penguin. It is one of the endemic species found only in New Zealand.
| 名前：Name | Gropu：属名 | 生息地: habit |
| フィヨルドランドペンギン(Fiordland penguin) | Eudyptes マカロニペンギン属 | New Zealand ニュージーランド |
| シュレーターペンギン(Erect-Crested Penguin) | Eudyptes マカロニペンギン属 | New Zealand ニュージーランド |
| スネアーズペンギン(Snares Islands Penguin) | Eudyptes マカロニペンギン属 | New Zealand ニュージーランド |
| マカロニペンギン(Macaroni Penguin) | Eudyptes マカロニペンギン属 | Antarctica 南極大陸 |
| ロイヤルペンギン(Royal Penguin) | Eudyptes マカロニペンギン属 | Antarctica 南極大陸 |
| イワトビペンギン(Rockhopper Penguin) | Eudyptes マカロニペンギン属 | South Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Falkland Islands 南大西洋、インド洋、フォークランド諸島 |
Snares Penguin Taxonomy
| 階級 | 分類 |
|---|---|
| 界 (Kingdom) | 動物界 (Animalia) |
| 門 (Phylum) | 脊索動物門 (Chordata) |
| 綱 (Class) | 鳥綱 (Aves) |
| 目 (Order) | ペンギン目 (Sphenisciformes) |
| 科 (Family) | ペンギン科 (Spheniscidae) |
| 属 (Genus) | Eudyptes |
| 種 (Species) | Eudyptes robustus |
About snares penguin habitat
New Zealand is the only habitat for snares penguins. Many live near Snares Island.
- Distribution
Endemic to the Snares Islands south of New Zealand.
Naturally not found anywhere else.
- Habitat
Breeds along the coasts of rocky and cliffy islands.
Breeding grounds are primarily isolated areas with little human impact.
They forage at sea in winter, but always return to the island during the breeding season.
- Behavior and Migration
Forages for fish and krill in the sea.
Swims around the waters surrounding the island to forage.
Breeding colonies are limited and concentrated in a very small area.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
The snares penguin has black plumage on the top of its head and white plumage on the bottom. There is a thick yellow stripe from the base of the beak to the top of the eye and the back of the head. They have orange-brown beaks and pink hind legs, and are generally highly social animals that live in colonies.
- Physical Characteristics
Size: Approximately 50-60 cm in length, 2.5-4 kg in weight (medium-sized penguin)
Body Type: Stocky and streamlined for underwater swimming
Feather Color:
Back: Black
Belly: White
Head: Prominent yellow ornamental feathers (crown)
Beak: Orange-red, medium length
Legs: Short and strong, allowing for steady walking even on rocky surfaces
- Ecology and Behavior
Good Swimmer: Preys on fish and krill in the sea
Diet: Mainly small fish, krill, and crustaceans
Reproduction:
Builds large colonies on rocky or cliffy areas
Eggs are laid by pairs, with males and females taking turns incubating them
Sociality: Forms groups within colonies and cooperates in raising their young
Calls: Each individual has its own distinctive vocalizations, allowing them to recognize their mates and peers
- Personality and Characteristics
Sociable and cooperative: They live in groups and work together as a pair during breeding season.
Curious: They often show interest in humans and the movements of their surroundings.
Loyal and tenacious: They will spare no effort to protect their mates and chicks.
- Appearance
Their trademark yellow feather crest makes them look like “slightly flashy little gentlemen.”
They are agile swimmers in the ocean and have an adorable way of walking on land.
What will your personality look like?
Snares penguins are said to be the most social of the Macaroni penguin species. It is possible to form a colony and live in close cooperation with those around you.
Snares Penguin Personality (Behavioral Characteristics)
Social and cooperative
Live in large colonies during the breeding season
Work together to protect chicks, and pairs take turns incubating eggs
Bold and tenacious
Breed in the harsh environments of rocky and cliff faces
Persistently protect their chicks and mates
Curious
Knowing the movements of their surroundings, they may observe humans while foraging or on land
Show boldness when pursuing prey
Loyal
Strongly loyal to their mates and breeding grounds
Tend to return to the same breeding grounds year after year
What is the ecology of snares penguins?
Snares penguins subsist on krill, squid, etc. They breed in rocky areas, under shrubs, in wetlands, and lay two eggs. The lifespan is said to be close to 20 years.
- Habitat and Environment
Breeds on rocky outcrops and cliffs around the Snares Islands south of New Zealand.
Outside of breeding season, they forage at sea.
Prefers isolated environments with little human interference.
- Diet (Food)
Eat mainly fish, krill, and crustaceans.
Dives underwater and nimbly pursues prey.
Mainly forages at sea, rarely eating on land.
- Breeding and Rearing
Breeding season is during the Southern Hemisphere summer (November to February).
Forms large colonies on rocky or cliffy areas.
Pairs take turns incubating eggs.
Chicks grow while being fed by their parents, and once they have fully developed feathers, they become independent in the sea.
- Behavior
Highly social, living in groups.
Live in groups to protect themselves from predators.
Swims quickly in the sea and pursues prey.
On land, they wander around rocky areas, focusing on breeding and protecting their chicks.
- Adaptability
Feathers and blubber allow them to withstand the harsh cold of southern waters
Streamlined body shapes suitable for diving
Sociality allows for cooperative breeding success
What is the natural enemy of the snares penguin?
The biggest threat to snares penguins is skuas. Eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to being preyed upon.
About Snares Penguin Chicks
This article provides information about Snares Penguin (Eudyptes robustus) chicks.
- Hatching
Early hatching usually involves laying one or two eggs.
The incubation period is approximately 32-35 days.
The parents take turns incubating the eggs and protecting the chicks.
- Appearance and Physical Characteristics
Immediately after hatching, they are covered in gray to pale down.
Their feathers are not yet waterproof and they cannot swim.
They have a small, round body, and their limbs are underdeveloped.
- Growth and Development
Early Hatching (1-2 weeks after hatching): They are warmed and protected by their parents.
Middle Hatching (2-4 weeks): They are fed by their parents and gradually gain strength.
Late Hatching (4-7 weeks): Their feathers are replaced and become waterproof.
Chicks sometimes form groups, providing protection.
- Diet
The parents feed their young fish and krill by mouth.
After the eggs hatch, the parents take turns foraging for food.
- Independence
Once their feathers have grown in and become waterproof, they begin foraging at sea.
They leave the sea and become independent at about 2-3 months of age.
They live cooperatively in flocks until they reach adulthood.
Are snares penguins an endangered species?
The snares penguin’s habitat is limited to small islands, so if a threat occurs, the population can quickly become extinct. Therefore, although there is no threat, it is considered an endangered species.
Is it possible to keep snares penguins?
The areas where Snares penguins live are off-limits, and furthermore, the New Zealand government has prohibited anyone other than researchers from entering, making it extremely difficult to encounter them in the first place, making it difficult to keep them in captivity.
- Limitations as a Wild Species
Snares penguins are endemic to the Snares Islands south of New Zealand.
Because they have adapted to the harsh marine environment of the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic, captivity in an artificial environment is extremely difficult.
Few zoos in Japan or around the world exhibit Snares penguins.
- Difficulties of Breeding
Temperature Control: A low-temperature environment is essential.
Aquarium Size: A saltwater pool large enough for them to swim in is required.
Dietary Management: A steady supply of fish and krill is required.
Stress and Health Management: Wild species are sensitive to environmental changes and susceptible to disease and stress.
Legal Restrictions: The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) imposes strict restrictions on the import, export, and captivity of wild individuals.
- Summary
Snares penguins cannot be kept at home or in small facilities.
They can only be kept in specially controlled environments at specialized facilities or research institutes.
There are few examples of them in captivity, and observing them in the wild is recommended from a conservation perspective.
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