Growing New Plants (2 page)

Carefully, Pam put on Pierre a wetsuit a featherless penguin could wear.

Standing on a rock in his new wetsuit, Pierre the Penguin looked mighty cute.

He felt nice and warm, and he wanted to swim.

So what did he do?

He dived right in.

Splash!

Whee-e-e!

Now Pierre stood proud and tall, and nobody brayed at him at all.

Six weeks went by, and then a surprise . . .

Pam could hardly believe her eyes.

Not only was Pierre no longer cold.

He had NEW feathers! Observe and behold.

Now warm in water, now warm on shore, guess who didn't need his wetsuit anymore!

Pierre made a nest for his very best friend.

Their story goes on, thanks to Pam.

The End.

Pam Schaller, Senior Aquatic Biologist, California Academy of Sciences

Why is the hall called African Hall?

Because it has African animals in it.

Why did Pierre lose his feathers?

African penguins “molt” or replace their feathers every year. Pierre skipped molting for a few years so his feathers became brittle and broke off.

Why did they grow back?

The wetsuit kept Pierre warm enough so that he could put his energy into growing new feathers.

How old was Pierre when he lost his feathers?

He was about 24 years old. Pierre hatched from his egg on February 16, 1983.

Why does your dog have a raincoat?

My dog came from warm Hawaii. Her raincoat helps her stay warm and dry in cool Northern California rain.

What is a “wetsuit”?

A tight-fitting rubber suit that helps people stay warm in the water. I wear a wetsuit when I go into the penguin tank.

Why did Pierre need a wetsuit?

To keep him warm and help him float while he swam.

What is “neoprene”?

A soft rubbery fabric used to make most wetsuits.

Why are the penguins' wing bands different colors?

The colors are different for each penguin when they are young. When they get older, they form pairs, and I change the color of their bands. Penguin couples have matching-colored wing bands.

Why are the wing bands on different wings?

Males have bands on their right wings. Females have bands on their left wings.

What is an “aquatic biologist”?

Biologists study living things. Aquatic means water. (Hence, “aquarium.”) An aquatic biologist studies animals that live in water.

What other kinds of scientists are there?

We have scientists who study all types of life including botanists, who study plants, and entomologists, who study insects.

What does “bray” mean?

It's the sound that donkeys make. African penguins bray when they are protecting their territory. Penguins also bray to identify each other.

What does “shazam” mean?

It's an expression people say when something surprises them.

Does the hidden door lead out to African Hall?

No, it leads out to another hall that leads to my office.

The wall and ceiling are painted like the sky. Are the rocks real?

The rocks are made by people to look like rocks found in Boulders Beach, South Africa. That's one of the places African penguins live in the wild.

Are penguins really birds?

Yes. Birds are covered with feathers, have wings, and lay eggs. Penguins use their wings to swim. Sometimes their wings are called flippers.

Can penguins fly?

No. Penguins' wings are not long enough to lift them up in the air.

Can penguins eat while swimming?

Yes! In the wild, African penguins catch and eat fish while in the ocean.

Can penguins breathe under water?

No, penguins have lungs (like people) so they must hold their breath while they swim under water.

How many kinds of penguins are there?

There are 17 species or different kinds of penguins.

Do other aquatic biologists know about Pierre?

Yes. I shared Pierre's wetsuit pattern with other biologists. It is important to share information so we can learn from each other.

Is it true that we can see the penguins online?

Yes! Just go to
www.calacademy.org/webcams/penguins
. You'll be able to see what our penguins are doing right now! You might even see me or another biologist feed them!

Jean Marzollo has written more than 100 children's books, including the award-winning
I SPY
series. With a graduate degree from Harvard, she has taught school, written books about teaching and parenting, and was the editor of Scholastic's
Let's Find Out
kindergarten magazine for 20 years. Jean lives in upstate New York.

Laura Regan is nationally known for her award-winning children's books that feature exotic flora and fauna. Her artwork has been used to raise funds for many wildlife organizations. She is the illustrator of
A is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet
. Laura lives in the Bay Area in California.