little_penguins.jpgPenguins prepare burrows

When: Jun - Jul

Where: Multiple locations on the north and east coast

Little penguins are the smallest of all penguin species, standing around 33 cm tall and weighing around 1 kg. On land little penguins live in holes in the ground know as burrows. These burrows provide a place for little penguins to rest, nest and moult. Burrows also provide protection from predators and extreme heat. While on land little penguins remain inside their burrows during the day to avoid predators. When little penguins breed they regularly return to incubate the eggs and feed their chicks. During winter little penguins spend more time at sea chasing fish and only return to rest and renovate their burrows or dig new ones.

Image: Bicheno Penguin Tours / Credit: Alastair Bett