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Elizabeth Keller

Surf's Up for Penguin Ralph

8.15.09 - The penguin Ralph at the Hampshire wildlife park is living up to Cody Maverick's lifestyle. By wearing a wetsuit he looks like the famous Rockhopper penguin Cody Maverick in the movie Surf's Up.

But other than his surf buddy Cody, Penguin Ralph wears the wetsuit to protect him from sunburn and chills.

Ralph, a nine-year-old Humboldt penguin, lost all of his feathers in one day while molting, instead of the usual four to six weeks.

It left him with sensitive pink skin, so Marwell Wildlife keepers cut up a staff member's wetsuit to make the kit.

Marwell Wildlife

It will protect Ralph until his new feathers have grown, which may take another two to three weeks.

The leg of an adult wetsuit was used for the outfit.

David Schofield, head keeper for the penguins, said: "At first the other penguins were curious but it wasn't long before they recognized and accepted Ralph again."

Marwell Wildlife

"He doesn't seem to mind the wetsuit and is able to swim and move around normally."

Keepers made the special outfit by cutting the leg off an adult wetsuit. "It was quite easy to fit and we were able to customize it by creating the extra openings for his flippers once he was in it."

Although they cannot fly, penguins have specialized feathers for swimming and each year undergo a complete molt.

Marwell Wildlife

They normally shed their feathers at the same time as new ones come through.

Humboldt penguins are native to the cold coasts of Peru and Chile.

Marwell Wildlife said they were thought to be declining in number, possibly due to increased water temperatures and reduced food supply.

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Book of the Month

Teacher of the Month

Elizabeth Keller

Surf's Up for Penguin Ralph

Companion Kit:

Become an Ocean Explorer

The Perfect Beginner Experiment Kit!

Stepping into Science

Order Now!

Companion Kit:

Become an Ocean Explorer