Little penguins always lay two eggs. Males and females take turns incubating the eggs. Shifts usually last three or four days, but may last as long as 10 days if food is hard to find. The eggs take 35 days to hatch.

Age 2 to 3 days

Age 1 to 2 weeksOne parent remains with the chicks until the other parent returns from fishing. Parents alternate fishing trips during this two week guard phase.

Age 3 to 7 weeksChicks grow rapidly on a diet of regurgitated fish from their parents. They are now old enough to stay in the burrow by themselves.

Age 7 to 11 weeksChicks grow their waterproof feathers and are ready to head to sea.

Help protect the little penguins of Phillip Island, Australia. Adopt a penguin at penguinfoundation.org.au

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