Pesto, a nine-month-old king penguin chick, has become an internet sensation at the Sea Life Aquarium in Melbourne, Australia. Weighing an impressive 49 pounds, Pesto is the heaviest chick the aquarium has ever had. Pesto’s gender was recently revealed to be male, and he has a hearty appetite of 25 fish a day. As a result of his massive size and endearing appearance, Pesto has garnered a large following on social media, with nearly 2 billion views on TikTok.
As Pesto continues to grow and mature into adulthood, his weight is expected to plateau at around 33 pounds. Keepers at the aquarium anticipate that Pesto will shed his baby weight as he transitions into a fledgling. He is currently molting his brown feathers and will eventually develop the iconic black and white plumage typical of king penguins. Despite the changes in his appearance, Pesto will continue to be a crowd-pleaser at the aquarium, delighting visitors with his adorable antics and playful behavior.
The arrival of Pesto has brought immense joy to staff and visitors at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, as well as penguin fans around the world. His presence has also helped increase attendance at the aquarium, as people flock to see the charming penguin in person. While Pesto’s rapid growth may slow down as he reaches adulthood, he will still be a beloved member of the aquarium’s penguin family, participating in activities such as fledging and swimming lessons.
Pesto’s parents, Hudson and Tango, each weigh about 24 pounds, making Pesto larger than both of them combined. The Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has been closely monitoring Pesto’s development and growth, ensuring that he receives the care and attention he needs to thrive. As Pesto continues to mature, he will undergo physical changes that are natural for his species, transitioning from a chubby chick to a sleek and streamlined adult penguin.
As the world eagerly watches Pesto’s journey from a fluffy chick to a fully-grown king penguin, the young bird is expected to play a vital role in conservation efforts aimed at protecting his species. With his growing popularity online and in person, Pesto has the opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of preserving penguin habitats and ensuring the long-term survival of these iconic birds. As Pesto embarks on his future adventures, fans will be able to follow along and witness the transformation of a chubby chick into a majestic penguin.
