Penguins' feet are pretty cool - in fact they are so "cool" that you may wonder why they don't freeze in the snow (short answer: They have a whole load of arteries warming them up). Unlike penguins, we can't live with frozen feet, so last month we gave you the chance to win two pairs of quirky WaddleOn by Marts penguin socks and two pairs of Two Oceans Aquarium tickets (where better to walk in your new socks)!
Congratulations to Saneeya Adams and Heather Hodgson for winning this month's prizes. Watch this space for even more giveaways!
The answers to the quiz are below, but if you want to try the quiz out for yourself, you can at this link. Please remember that entries are closed - this is just for fun!
Here are some penguin fails to distract you from looking at the answers if you want to try the quiz out.
1. We asked: What kind of penguin is this?
Answer: African blackfooted penguin
African penguins are the only penguin species native to the African coast, and are closely related to South American species. Here's everything you need to know about the African penguin.
2. We asked: Where can you swim with penguins in Cape Town?
Answer: Boulders Beach
The Boulders Beach African penguin colony is a great oppotunity for Capetonians to visit and learn about wild penguins - and the risks they face. Pay Boulders a visit this summer and support the SANParks conservation efforts there.
3. We asked: What kind of penguin is this cutie?
Answer: Northern rockhopper penguin
This is Clax, the second youngest rockhopper at the Two Oceans Aquarium. She may look similar to a Macaroni or Snare's penguin, but you can learn to tell all the penguins apart here.
4. We asked: Why was the African penguin called a "jackass penguin"?
Answer: They sound like braying donkeys
African penguins are not songbirds, in fact this “ecstatic display song” is the reason they were once called “jackass penguins” … sounding as they do like braying donkeys. You can learn more about their birdsongs here.
5. We asked: Which incredible organisation has single-handedly saved 19% of the African penguin population?
Answer: SANCCOB
We are lucky enough to be conservation partners with an incredible organisation like SANCCOB - you can show them love too by buying a gift for someone from SANCCOB's online store.
6. We asked: Which Two Oceans Aquarium penguin hatched during the 2010 FIFA World Cup?
Answer: Ayoba
On 25 July 2010, two weeks after the last vuvuzela echoed across Soccer City, a tiny penguin hatched and took his first breath at the Two Oceans Aquarium. Ayoba had arrived. Read all about Ayoba's life as a penguin ambassador here.
7. We asked: What is this penguin saying? (And yes, we have decoded their language)
Answer: "Look at me ladies! I'm handsome and single!"
Sometimes having the biggest nest on the beach isn’t enough for a single penguin to be able to attract a mate. When this happens they will resort to spreading their wings, raising their beaks high and singing with their best singing voices, with the hopes of attracting a partner. You can learn to talk like a penguin here.
8. We asked: What is happening to this rockhopper penguin?
Answer: It is molting
Penguins go through what is called a "catastrophic molt" - once a year they lose all their feathers, and it takes several weeks for its plumage to regrow. During this time they can't swim (as they are no longer waterproof), so they eat a lot and get really fat before it happens. This is similar to human's "Netflix and chill" mentality.
9. We asked: What is the name for a group of penguin chicks?
Answer: Crèche
Many penguin species, particularly those in cold environments or facing terrestrial predators form crèches, where juvenile chicks are grouped together and protected by a few adults. This allows more of the adult penguins to hunt at a time.
10. We asked: Lastly, what kind of penguin is this chick?
Answer: Rockhopper penguin
This is Miss Harold Custard, our littlest penguin!
About WaddleOn by Marts
WaddleOn socks have been lovingly hatched right here in Cape Town, by long-time Two Oceans Aquarium and SANCCOB volunteer Martine Viljoen, who was inspired by her real-life waddling counterparts. A portion of the proceeds from each WaddleOn pair sold is donated to SANCCOB's seabird rehabilitation efforts in Cape Town.
WaddleOn is inspired and passionately motivated by real penguins to contribute to the conservation of these endangered animals. For every pair of WaddleOn socks sold, R3 is contributed to the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) in Cape Town, South Africa. These socks are a perfect gift for penguin lovers and sock collectors alike. Keep those toes warm and WaddleOn!
Competition terms and conditions
- All content sent to the Two Oceans Aquarium as entry into the competition may be used on the Aquarium’s website and associated digital platforms.
- Entries close at 13h00 on Friday 8 December 2017.
- Winners will be notified via telephone no later than Monday 11 December 2017 at 12h00.
- To be entered into the lucky draw, all 10 questions must be answered correctly.
- Two individual winners will be chosen by lucky draw.
- Each winner will receive two complimentary day tickets to the Two Oceans Aquarium and a pair of WaddleOn by Marts socks.
- Representatives of the Two Oceans Aquarium will pick the winner from eligible entries.
- Prizes are non-transferable.
- Prizes must be redeemed within three months of date of issue.
- The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
- The winners may be required to participate in a photo-taking session during the issuing of the prize.
- Pictures may be posted online.
- Entry into the competition and acceptance of any prize shall constitute consent on the winner's part to allow the use of the winner's name, image, voice and/or likeness by the Two Oceans Aquarium for editorial, advertising, promotional, marketing and/or other purposes without further compensation except where prohibited by law.
- This competition is not open to WaddleOn or Two Oceans Aquarium staff or volunteers and their families.
- Anyone who has won a competition or promotion through the Two Oceans Aquarium in the last six months is not eligible to win.