Overview- The little penguin (Eudyptula minor) is the smallest species of penguin. It grows to an average of 33 cm in height and 43 cm in length, though specific measurements vary by subspecies. It is found on the coastlines of southern Australian and New Zealand with possible records from Chile. In Australia, they are often called fairy penguins. In New Zealand, they are more commonly known as little blue penguins or blue penguins, owing to their slate-blue plumage around the world there are 17 species of penguins. All penguins are found in the southern hemisphere (Australia, New Zealand, Antarctica, sub-Antarctic islands, South America and Africa).
Environment- The internal temperature range of penguins is 37.8°C to 38.9°C, the Penguins overlapping feathers create a surface nearly impenetrable to wind or water. Feathers provide waterproofing critical to penguins' survival in water that may be as cold as -2.2°C in the Antarctic, thus they may survive in waters as cold as this.
Abiotic Factors- There are many abiotic factors that influence the Little Penguins survival, high sea levels are a great risk to little penguins because rising sea levels can flood and destroy the nesting sites of Little Penguins. Additionally, when the sea level rises so too does the acidity of the water, by rising up the water absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the ecosystem. This effects the Little Penguins because they rely upon eating Plankton and Krill and when the water is acidic, it lessens the carbonate ions that the Plankton need to survive.
More abiotic factors that this organism will face are the countless rocks that inhabit its environment, these can prove dangerous to a variety of different organisms however, the availability of Sunlight to the penguins is also a factor that effects their survival, if they cannot get enough sunlight then they will not be able to receive the nutrients they need and finally, the Water Temperature needs to remain optimal for their survival, like all other marine animals.
Challenges- The Little Penguin faces a variety of challenges in its natural habitat, due to it being much smaller than other penguins this can mean that it is second-best when it comes to physical confrontation, where another type of penguin, like a King Penguin could brush off or even fend off an attacker the Little Penguin cannot. Also, when it comes to food the Little Penguin may also come off second best and as a result decline in population due to them being outmatched by predators and other animals on a regular basis.
Adaptations- The little penguin has adapted in many ways in order to survive in its habitat. Of these adaptations many of them are apparent in other breeds of penguin as well. A Structural Adaptation of the Little Penguin is its wing structure, Penguin wings are paddle-like flippers used for swimming, The motion of the flippers resembles the wing movements of flying birds, giving penguins the motion and appearance of flying through water. The wing and breast muscles are well developed, to propel penguins through water. Also, Penguins have solid and dense bones, this allows them to overcome buoyancy in the water. The last structural adaptation of the Little Penguin is the glands under their eyes that help rid the body of excess salt. The secretion of salt and fluid often collect as droplets on the bill and are shaken off. These glands are so effective that penguins can drink sea water without ill effects, thus removing the chance of dehydration.
A Behavioural Adaptation of the Little Penguin is the way that they may tuck in their flippers close to their bodies and also may shiver in order to generate additional heat and stay warm, another behavioural adaptation is how the penguin typically sleeps with its bill tucked behind a flipper, which some scientists believe serves no known purpose in penguins, but is a remnant of ancestral relations to flighted birds. Other researchers believe the behaviour may reduce the amount of heat lost through the face, particularly the nostrils. The penguin may also hunch its head into its shoulders to maintain its streamlined shape and reduce drag while swimming. Its keeps its feet pressed close to the body against the tail to aid in steering, this can also help with keeping the penguins body temperature to an optimal level.
Rhythmic Pattern- A main concern for the Penguins rhythmic patterns is that when it gets too hot how will they survive, well there are penguins in Africa that rely on shade and cooler places in order to keep their nests and themselves cool in their hot climate, if that is abundant in other breeds of penguin then we can assume that they will follow the same path, when and if it gets too hot for them to stay in Antarctica they will try and find cooler places, whether it be underground or near waters edge so that they can remain cool and reproduce.