Life Sciences, Research & Conservation Marine Mammal Division Husbandry Manual - Little penguin (Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae) Little Penguin Husbandry Manual Author: Elle Bombonato (2005) Updated by Lindsay Wright (2012) Approved Version: 1.0 Sept 2005 Revised Version: 2.0 May 2012 Page 1 of 38 Life Sciences, Research & Conservation Marine Mammal Division Husbandry Manual - Little penguin (Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae) Contents 1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Nomenclature ............................................................................................................. 4 2 Natural History .................................................................................................................. 4 2.1 Weights and Measurements ........................................................................................ 4 Flipper .................................................................................................................................. 4 2.2 Sexual Dimorphism .................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Moult ......................................................................................................................... 5 2.4 Behaviour ................................................................................................................... 6 2.5 Distribution ................................................................................................................ 6 2.6 Habitat ....................................................................................................................... 7 2.7 Wild Diet and Feeding Behaviour in the Wild ............................................................ 7 2.8 Longevity ................................................................................................................... 8 3 Housing Requirements ...................................................................................................... 8 3.1 Current Exhibit Design ............................................................................................... 8 3.2 Water body ................................................................................................................. 8 3.3 Spatial Requirements .................................................................................................. 9 3.4 Holding Area Design .................................................................................................. 9 3.5 Weather Protection ................................................................................................... 10 3.6 Substrate .................................................................................................................. 10 3.7 Enclosure Furnishings .............................................................................................. 10 4 Handling and Transport ................................................................................................... 12 4.1 Timing of Capture, Handling and Transport ............................................................. 12 4.2 Catching Bags .......................................................................................................... 12 4.3 Capture and Restraint Techniques ............................................................................ 12 4.4 Release ..................................................................................................................... 13 4.5 Transport Requirements ........................................................................................... 13 5 General Husbandry .......................................................................................................... 14 5.1 Hygiene and Cleaning .............................................................................................. 14 5.2 Identification Methods.............................................................................................. 14 6 Feeding Requirements ..................................................................................................... 15 6.1 Captive Diet ............................................................................................................. 15 6.2 Supplements ............................................................................................................. 15 6.3 Dietary Changes ....................................................................................................... 15 6.4 Feeding Regime ....................................................................................................... 16 6.5 Water ....................................................................................................................... 16 6.6 Preparation and Presentation of Food ....................................................................... 16 7 Health ............................................................................................................................. 16 7.1 Routine health procedures ........................................................................................ 16 7.2 Housing of ill/injured specimens .............................................................................. 16 7.3 Known Health Problems ........................................................................................... 16 8 Behaviour ........................................................................................................................ 19 8.1 Habits ....................................................................................................................... 19 Approved Version: 1.0 Sept 2005 Revised Version: 2.0 May 2012 Page 2 of 38 Life Sciences, Research & Conservation Marine Mammal Division Husbandry Manual - Little penguin (Eudyptula minor novaehollandiae) 8.2 Captive Behavioural Problems ................................................................................. 19 8.3 Behavioural Enrichment Activities ........................................................................... 19 8.4 Introductions ............................................................................................................ 19 8.5 Interspecific Compatibility ....................................................................................... 20 9 Breeding .......................................................................................................................... 20 9.1 Mating ...................................................................................................................... 20 9.2 Sexual Behaviour ..................................................................................................... 20 9.3 Site Fidelity .............................................................................................................. 20 9.4 Timing of Breeding .................................................................................................. 20 9.5 Breeding frequency .................................................................................................. 21 9.6 Nesting/Hollow or other Requirements ..................................................................... 21 9.7 Breeding Diet ........................................................................................................... 22 9.8 Gestation or Incubation Period ................................................................................. 23 9.9 Litter or Clutch Size ................................................................................................. 23 9.10 Fledging ............................................................................................................... 24 9.11 Removal from Nest ............................................................................................... 24 9.12 Growth and Development ..................................................................................... 24 9.13 Taronga Zoo’s Breeding Management Procedures ................................................ 25 9.14 Techniques Used to Control Breeding ................................................................... 27 10. Artificial Incubation.......................................................................................................... 27 10.1 Incubator Type ............................................................................................................ 27 10.2 Incubation Temperatures and Humidity ...................................................................... 27 10.3 Desired % Weight Loss ............................................................................................... 28 10.4 Hatching Temperature and Humidity .......................................................................... 28 10.5 Normal Pip to Hatch Interval ...................................................................................... 28 10.6 Thermometers ............................................................................................................. 29 10.7 Candling ..................................................................................................................... 29 10.8 Egg Placement and Marking ....................................................................................... 29 10.9 Egg Turning ...............................................................................................................