the forest cobra ( naja melanoleuca ) , also commonly called the black cobra and the black and white-lipped cobra , is a species of venomous snake in the family elapidae .

the species is native to africa , mostly the central and western parts of the continent .

it is the largest true cobra species with a total length ( including tail ) of up to 3.1 meters ( 10 feet ) .

although it prefers lowland forest and moist savanna habitats , this cobra is highly adaptable and can be found in drier climates within its geographical range .

it is a very capable swimmer and is often considered to be semi-aquatic .

the forest cobra is a generalist in its feeding habits , having a highly varied diet : anything from large insects to small mammals and other reptiles .

this species is alert , nervous and is considered to be a very dangerous snake .

when cornered or molested , it will assume the typical cobra warning posture by raising its fore body off the ground , spreading a narrow hood , and hissing loudly .

bites to humans are less common than from other african cobras due to various factors , though a bite from this species is a life-threatening emergency .

forest cobra

it also inhabits mangroves in western africa . the banded form of forest cobra in
it ' s a trap !
taking advantage of a forest cobra .
forest biomes are dominated by trees , otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality .
) . the species is also known by other common names like african banded cobra , banded cobra , brown cobra or arabian cobra .
exploring the venom of the forest cobra snake : toxicovenomics and antivenom profiling of naja melanoleuca .
the egyptian cobra ( naja haje ) is a species of cobra found in africa . it is one of the largest cobra species native to africa , second to the forest cobra ( naja melanoleuca ) .
millburn , naomi .
habitat of a forest cobra
accessed july 09 , 2018 . urltoken
the forest cobra once held the record for longevity in captivity with a specimen that lived 28 years . like most other cobra species ,
the colour of this species is variable , with three main colour morphs . those from the forest or forest fringe , from
a snake of forest or woodland , it is the only one of africa ' s cobras that will live in high forest .
millburn , naomi .
habitat of a forest cobra .
animals - urltoken , http : / / animals . urltoken / habitat - forest - cobra - 5429 . html . accessed 09 july 2018 .
forest cobra snake ( black and white cobra , naja melanoleuca ) eating chicks at the meserani snake park at duka bovi in tanzania , africa .
millburn , naomi . ( n . d . ) . habitat of a forest cobra . animals - urltoken . retrieved from http : / / animals . urltoken / habitat - forest - cobra - 5429 . html
the forest cobras are snakes that are well adapted to many environments and the habitat of the forest cobra is strongly dependent on what part of its african range the snake originates from . forest cobras originating in the southern african regions are typically found in
maximum longevity : 29 . 1 years ( captivity ) observations : these animals are also known as forest cobra .
exploring the venom of the forest cobra snake : toxicovenomics and antivenom profiling of naja melanoleuca . - pubmed - ncbi
naja melanoleuca ( forest cobra ) venom . the amino acid sequence of phospholipase a , fraction de - iii .
rain forest facts : the forest cobra is the second largest species of cobra on earth . the rainforests of western africa are home to this large predator . reaching lengths of over 7 feet , this cobra can deliver a very powerful bite to any would - be predator . not afraid to stand their ground , the forest cobra is often regarded as an aggressive species in captivity .
some species like the forest cobra are habitat specialists and occupy specific niches while others like the indian cobra are habitat generalists and occur across a range habitat types .
in the event of an actual or probable bite from a forest cobra , execute the following first aid measures without delay .
naja melanoleuca ( forest cobra , black and white lipped cobra ) , kwazulu - natal , south africa . [ photo f . grundlingh © , from sarca virtual museum ]
naja melanoleuca ( forest cobra , black and white lipped cobra ) , kwazulu - natal , south africa . [ photo a . coetzer © , from sarca virtual museum ]
naja melanoleuca ( forest cobra ) venom . the amino acid sequence of phospholipase a , fraction de - iii . - pubmed - ncbi
occurs in wild forest and in cultivated areas . ( tropical rainforest animals , 2000 )
the north american coral snake habitat is highly variable , ranging from forest to desert .
wear down and drop out in pieces , making the back pair shift forward and two new molars emerge in the back of the african forest elephant ' s mouth . african forest
another time i found one on penang hill in malaysia while running down a forest trail .
the seven species of asiatic spitting cobras are the mandalay spitting cobra ( n . mandalayensis ) , palawan spitting cobra ( n . miolepis ) , philippine spitting cobra ( n . philippinensis ) , samar cobra ( n . samarensis , also known as the peter’s cobra ) , indochinese spitting cobra ( n . siamensis , also known as the black and white or thai spitting cobra , javan spitting cobra ( n . sputatrix ) , and the equitoral spitting cobra ( n . sumatrana ) .
for digging for roots in the ground and to strip the bark off trees . the african forest
opheodrys vernalis were hatched as part of breeding program in conjunction with lake county forest preserve district .
the forest cobra can be identified the following features ; highly polished body scales , its good climbing ability , a preference for thick vegetation in close proximity to water and its narrow hood . this snake grows to an average length of 2 meters but can grow up to 2 . 7 meters in length ( the forest cobra is the largest cobra in africa ) .
the forest cobra kicks off the list of deadliest snakes . members of this species , which grow to eight feet in length , are native to central africa .
seven species of african spitting cobras exist today . they are ashe’s spitting cobra ( n . ashei ) , the mali cobra ( n . katiensis ) , mozambique spitting cobra ( n . mossambica ) , zebra spitting cobra ( n . nigricincta ) , black - necked spitting cobra ( n . nigricollis ) , nubian spitting cobra ( n . nubiae ) , and the red spitting cobra ( n . pallida ) .
population has fortunately begun to recover . in 1980 , there were an estimated 380 , 000 african forest
the population of forest cobras in uganda are almost always found close to water . the brown colour phase occurs in coastal and high altitude forest , woodland and thicket , and grassland areas ( i . e .
the forest cobra is fast , very active , and an agile climber . it is active both day and night and can be aggressive if not able to retreat .
. the subgenus is united by their restriction to central and west african forest and / or forest - edge type habitat . they are also more aquatic and feed more on aquatic species . the species of the subgenus
largely due its forest - dwelling habits . the symptomology is thought to be very similar to that of the
this species is found from desert to savanna to thick forest . it can be found in urban areas .
gives birth to a single calf ( twins have been known but are extremely rare ) . the african forest
near streams in dense or open forest , bamboo thickets , adjacent agricultural areas , and dense mangrove swamps .
the forest cobra has a length of 79–118 in ( 2–3 m ) . with its large , thick body , it is africa ' s largest cobra . its color is variable by region but usually is dark with crossbars or blotches .
cobra de capelo translated from portuguese means “snake with hood” a term which loosely places a variety of snakes into the cobra bracket .
observation - forest cobra - southern africa . description : this was the second cobra found within an hour on this day ( only captured the tail in a photo so not good enough for an observation ) . also saw 5 other forest cobras in the same area over a period of two days in late september . the snakes appear to be acti
as its common name indicates , the forest cobra lives primarily in forest or woodlands , and it is the only cobra species found in such areas in africa . due to its ecological niche , humans do not often encounter forest cobras , and the species is one of the least frequent causes of snakebites in africa ( it possesses a primarily neurotoxic venom ) . it is primarily a diurnal species , and it exhibits some arboreal tendencies due to its natural habitat .
is the only african cobra that lives in high altitude forest , residing in a wide range of altitudes from sea level to 2800 m . forest cobras are highly adaptable snakes , and its habitat varies depending on which part of its african range it is living in . in southern africa ,
the forest cobra is one of the least frequent causes of snake bite among the african cobras , largely due its forest - dwelling habits and its shy , retiring demeanor . although one of the largest of the african naja cobras , the venom is considered less toxic than the others . if the snake becomes cornered or is agitated , it can quickly attack the aggressor , and if a large amount of venom is injected , a rapidly fatal outcome is possible . the forest cobra does not normally spit or spray its venom . the forest cobra is also felt by many her - petologists to be one of the most intelligent of the african elapids .
black - lipped cobra are also known as forest cobras and are most frequently found among the thick vegetation in lowland forest or coastal savannah thickets . they are noted for their climbing ability , often seen resting on the branches of shrubs or trees , having been spotted 30m up in the branches .
this snake seems to be highly adaptable and will readily move into drier areas if it can . in western kenya , the forest cobra has been found in wide stretched grassland areas .
the bite of the forest cobra with envenomation can be rapidly fatal ( possibly as early as 30 to 120 minutes ) . please read the attached medical management protocol and respond appropriately .
lives in savanna and grassland ( but usually along streams ) and well vegetated areas , especially riverine forest , up to latitude 14 n . the species ' preferred habitat are lowland forest and moist savanna where it favours coastal thickets .
king cobra beer or other king cobra drinks have nothing to do with king cobras , except in name . there is no king cobra venom in the beer or other drinks , it is just a catchy name .
renal symptoms have not yet been reported in forest cobra envenomation , but may complicate the situation , and if severe ( i . e . , acute renal failure ) may necessitate peritoneal dialysis .
forest cobra bites intimidate many due to their venomous natures . when forest cobras encounter human beings , they often react by retreating immediately to clandestine hiding spots . if they are frustrated and feel out of options , however , they will bite . the sturdy snakes ' venom can be extremely dangerous and even life - threatening . if you ever experience a bite from a forest cobra , seek medical assistance immediately . without urgent attention , death is a possibility , so take the matter seriously and do not hesitate to get help .
the king cobra is an example of a snake with
cobra
in its name , but it is not a member of the naja genus . the king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) is the only member of its genus .
the forest cobra is africa’s largest cobra species , with an average length of 1 . 4 to 2 . 2 m and a maximum recorded length of 2 . 7 m . males and females grow to similar sizes , there is no sexual dimorphism in the species . forest cobras are thick - bodied , cylindrical snakes with a tapering tail . their head is fairly large with black and white markings on the side which look like black and white bars on the jaws . like all cobra species ,
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nephrotoxicity : acute renal failure has not yet been reported in cases of forest cobra bites in humans . oliguria or anuria with possible changes in urinary composition will herald the development of renal shutdown . dialysis is advised .
the king cobra is found in dense , high jungle , often near water .
zoo officials were confident the missing cobra would be found in the building and not outside , since the egyptian cobra is known to be uncomfortable in open areas .
this species generally inhabits forest and woodland , but it can also be found in open savanna and grassland in some parts of its range .
cobras are large snakes ; many species reach more than 6 feet long ( 2 meters ) . according to cape snake conservation , the forest cobra is the largest true cobra , reaching 10 feet ( 3 m ) , and ashe’s spitting cobra is 9 feet ( 2 . 7 m ) , making it the world’s largest spitting cobra . the smallest species is the mozambique spitting cobra , which is about 4 feet long ( 1 . 2 m ) . king cobras , the longest of all venomous snakes , can reach 18 feet ( 5 . 5 m ) .
source / reference article learn how you can use or cite the african forest elephant article in your website content , school work and other projects .
it is not advisable to utilize subcutaneous or intradermal testing for sensitivity to equine products in that such testing may be unreliable , and may unnecessarily delay antivenom therapy which must be used if any signs of forest cobra envenomation are present .
if it doesn’t belong to the genus naja , then it’s not a true cobra .
it should come as no surprise though , that a cobra’s biggest enemy is man .
many of the species can reach lengths of 2 m ( 6 . 0 ft . ) ; the largest of which , the forest cobra ( n . melanoleuca ) , has been recorded at a whopping 3 . 1 m ( 10 ft . ) . at 2 . 7 m ( 8 . 9 ft ) , ashe’s spitting cobra ( n . ashei ) is the largest spitting cobra in the world .
forest cobras are a polygynandrous species , as both the male and the female may pair with multiple mates . male - male combat has been observed in
acts as a secondary and tertiary consumer , and are prey to other tertiary consumers and apex predators . forest cobras help control rodent and amphibian populations .
the forest cobra is a quick and agile terrestrial snake that is also inclined to climb in trees of 10 meters and higher . within some of its geographic range , it swims quite often and has been known to feed on fish , so it can be regarded as semi - aquatic . forest cobras are diurnal in uninhabited areas and nocturnal in urban zones around human activity . when inactive ,
cardiotoxicity : direct toxic effects on the myocardium or conducting system have not yet been reported in forest cobra envenomation . however , effects on the nervous or vascular systems may manifest as cardiac complications . monitoring of cardiac function and rhythm is advised .
king cobra eating a red - tailed racer ( g . oxycephalum ) snake – thailand .
the king cobra mates and the eggs are laid approximately 60 days later . the female king cobra builds a nest , while the male doesn’t play any role in protecting the young .
the king cobra is not considered to be a true cobra species , such as the other cobras in the naja genus ; instead , it belongs to its own genus , ophiophagus .
some authorities believe it is one of the most dangerous african snakes to be kept as many captive forest cobras are described to be particularly aggressive when handled .
a grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees , a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest . see also tropical savanna and grassland biome .
the king cobra habitat includes dense highland forests , open woods and pasturelands near bodies of water .
king cobra skull showing large teeth and thick , rather short fangs for injecting venom during envenomation .
one of the most interesting snakes in the world , the king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) .
make sure that at least 10 vials of south african institute for medical research ( s . a . i . m . r ) polyvalent antivenom are present with the patient . this antivenom contains the appropriate fractions necessary to neutralize the components of forest cobra venom .
as a whole . scales protect the body of the snake , aid it in locomotion , allow moisture to be retained within , and alter the surface characteristics such as roughness to aid in camouflage . the dorsal scales of the forest cobra are smooth , glossy and strongly oblique .
is one of the most frequently used in the
snake charming
shows it ' s wide hood and impressive build make the egyptian cobra species a good choice for the charmers . unlike other cobra species , the egyptian cobra doesn ' t display the noticeable dorsal marking or “eyespots” of other famous cobras including the
mating behavior of the african forest cobra includes male ritual combat . two males will literally
dance
with each other to determine who wins the right to mate with the female cobra . death or serious injury rarely occurs from such ritual behavior . once a male has established his dominance , the loser will generally move on with out any further incident . juvenile cobras , however , must beware of large adults . the cobra is cannibalistic and will readily make a meal out of smaller snakes .
the forest cobra ( n . melanoleuca ) is considered the largest true cobra species , and specimens have been documented at up to 10 feet in length . it occurs mainly in western and central africa , where it can be found from senegal in the west to angola , western kenya , uganda and rwanda in the east . it can also be found in some parts of south africa .
the mongoose is the best - known enemy of the cobra . according to urltoken , mongooses have thick fur to protect against cobra fangs and often defeat cobras in fights using their speed and agility . they can bite the cobra’s back before the snake can defend itself . cobras are also threatened from other snakes and humans .
other enemies include birds of prey and other snakes . it’s a snake eat snake world for a cobra .
hematological symptoms may present as a disseminated intravascular coagulopathy , and are treated as are other dics . this has not been reported in forest cobra envenomations . however , spontaneous hemorrhage , prolonged clot lysis with failure of clot retraction secondary to a platelet defect , delayed rise in fibrin degradation products , and complement ( c3 ) depletion have been seen following bites from the spitting cobra ( naja nigricollis ) .
the egyptian cobra was represented in egyptian mythology by the cobra - headed goddess meretseger . a stylised egyptian cobra — in the form of the uraeus representing the goddess wadjet — was the symbol of sovereignty for the pharaohs who incorporated it into their diadem . this iconography was continued through the ptolemaic kingdom ( 305 bc–30 bc ) .
forest cobras ( naja melanoleuca ) are members of family elapidae . they are big cobras . called
black and white cobras
due to their body patterning , forest cobras are often combinations of black and white , with dark upper bodies and pale white or off - white undersides . their shiny top portions , however , are frequently brownish - yellow rather than black .
. adults do show some preference towards frogs . juveniles feed mainly on anuran tadpoles , but will also consume small lizards . forest cobras in west africa have also been observed to prey upon
) which can attain lengths of 2 . 7 metres ( 8 . 9 feet ) to the burrowing cobra (
this cobra has a varied diet , including reptiles and amphibians ( even toads ) , birds , and eggs .
king cobra eating a red - tailed racer ( oxycephalum gonyosoma ) snake – thailand . copyright 2009 vern lovic .
many people are trying to find a king cobra in thailand , india , indonesia , malaysia , and elsewhere .
cobras can be found across most of africa and in many parts of asia . they inhabit a range of habitat types including desert , forest , fynbos , grassland , thicket and cultivated areas .
are pretty straight instead of curved to help them move through the thick jungle with greater ease . this , along with their pinkish tinge , has made the ivory of the african forest elephant ' s
has many potential predators , and they are the most vulnerable when they are juveniles . the most deadly enemy to forest cobras is the mongoose . there are several species of mongoose within the range of
according to the university of michigan , human victims may stop breathing just 30 minutes after being bitten by a cobra .
in hinduism shiva is depicted meditating with a cobra around his neck and vishnu rests on the cosmic cobra ananta while dreaming the universe into being ; in buddhism the image of a five - headed cobra or naga is often seen sheltering the buddha as he attained enlightenment and in tibet , cobras symbolise the rainbow as a connecting link between heaven and earth .
the egyptian cobra can also be found in captivity at zoos both in and outside of the snake’s natural range . the
like most cobra species it has an average life span of 20 years ( one specimen lived for 28 years ) .
when threatened , a forest cobra expands its hood and lifts the front of its body far off of the ground to appear larger . they are able to strike very quickly , with great distance . if the snake feels further threatened after these defensive postures , it will make an effort to bite . for these reasons ,
the indian cobra eats rats and mice that carry disease and eat human food . also , cobra venom is a potential source of medicines , including anti - cancer drugs and pain - killers . ( discovery , 2000 ; burton , 1991 )
excluding the associated subspecies there are currently 28 species of snake belonging to the genus naja . this may came as a surprise to many of you but the king cobra is taxonomically speaking no more of a cobra than is a black mamba .
the red spitting cobra is a medium - sized cobra that may reach a length of up to 4 feet . originally , it was thought to be a subspecies of the mozambique spitting cobra , but is now considered its own species . it is favored by venomous snake keepers due to its coloration , which is typically a salmon to red color with black banding .
at about 8 feet in length , the egyptian cobra ( n . haje ) is the second - largest cobra species on the african continent , after the forest cobra ( discussed next ) . egyptian cobras range across most of northern africa , in the northern saraha , through the savannahs of west africa to the southern sahara , south to the congo basin and east to kenya and tanzania . specimens may also be found in southern areas of the arabian peninsula . the species thrives in savannah and arid semi - desert regions of africa where some water and vegetation is available .
predominantly a forest - dwelling species , the king cobra occurs in rainforest , bamboo thickets and mangrove swamps , as well as other habitats with dense undergrowth and heavy rainfall ( 3 ) ( 7 ) . it is known to occur from sea level to mountainous regions , at elevations of over 2 , 000 metres ( 3 ) .
the king cobra is also harvested for its meat , skin and bile which are used in traditional medicine ( 7 ) .
i hope that you have enjoyed this guide to cobra snake facts . if you have ever seen a cobra or have a favourite from the list below i’d love to hear from you ! if you have a favourite don’t forget to tell us why 🙂
more than 34 stories of venomous snakebite and very near misses from southeast asia’s most deadly snakes – king cobra , malayan pit viper , monocled cobra , banded krait , malayan krait , and more ! digital book with over 100 pages by vern lovic .
meaning that it only eats plants and other vegetation . they predominantly eat leaves and fruit from trees , herbs and low - lying shrubs . however , the front pair of molars in the mouth of the african forest
this cobra is terrestrial but is a good climber . it is generally active at night but sometimes during the day as well .
the king cobra bite is the most powerful bite in kilograms per square inch of bite pressure – of any venomous snake in the world . this was tested by luke yeomans in the united kingdom before he passed away – of king cobra bite and envenomation .
morphologically , the king cobra has a larger head and more narrow hood compared to other cobra species . a key to identifying them is the presence of a pair of large scales , known as occipitals , located at the back of the top of the head . these are behind the usual “nine - plate” arrangement typical of colubrids and elapids , and are unique to the king cobra .
for living environment , forest cobras are found in a multitude of habitat types . they can adjust swiftly to diverse surroundings , and as such inhabit damp savannas , thickets , rainforests , lowland forests , rivers , wetlands , plantations , streams , grasslands and coastal locales . forest cobras can reside at heights of more than 9 , 000 feet . they are rapid , nimble snakes and are swift whether they ' re within trees or on the ground .
but it was nonetheless a major milestone as cobsy is the oldest known black - lipped cobra living at a zoo in the world .
the black - necked spitting cobra generally prefers open savanna but can be found in all types of terrestrial habitat , including urban areas .
there is some disagreement about what exactly a cobra is , and the number of cobra species ranges from 28 to about 270 depending on how a cobra is defined . genetically , “true” cobras are members of the genus naja , but according to viernum , often “the name cobra references several species of snakes , most of which are in the venomous snake family elapidae . elpididae includes other snakes like coral snakes , kraits and mambas . ” many of these snakes either possess hoods or the ability to raise the upper part of their body .
another interesting bit of information is that the king cobra is said to be able to see as far as 100 meters during daylight .
this cobra species has a highly dangerous neurotoxic venom , it is however responsible for very few bites and there is an antivenom available .
despite its armoury , the king cobra’s instinctive response to humans is to flee . but they seem to find other animals less intimidating . one old report from burma described a cobra biting a full - grown elephant on the trunk ; the pachyderm died several hours later .
if you happen to have a fear of snakes , take time to say thanks to the king cobra—it’ll eat those snakes for dinner .
forest cobras are frequently found near water , mainly rivers or streams , particularly in otherwise dry habitats such as savannas and grasslands . the snake can also live around human developments , and is encountered in the trees of fruit plantations .
the highly venomous egyptian cobra is extremely dangerous , their venom contains primarily neurotoxins as well as cytotoxins . in a single bite , these cobra snakes can inject anywhere from 175 to 300 mg , with a subcutaneous ld50 value in mice of 1 . 15 mg / kg .
the king cobra is one of the only snake species to construct a nest , which is made of dead vegetation and soil . bamboo thickets
king cobra juvenile , hatchling snake found in krabi , thailand . this snake is less than one month old , hatched from an egg .
thanks to robert abrams for permission to post this photo of a king cobra which washed over a waterfall while he was swimming . amazing thailand .
the king cobra is the world’s largest venomous snake – and a ruthless snake - hunter . but it is also a devoted parent . . .
regarded as one of the most dangerous species in all of africa , the cape cobra ( n . nivea ) is a golden brown / black to yellow - colored cobra species that primarily inhabits southern africa , particularly the countries of south africa , namibia , lesothos , and part of botswana . it has one of the smallest geographic distributions of all the african cobra species . it is a medium - sized cobra measuring approximately 4 to 5 feet in length . the cape cobra is considered the most dangerous of the africian species because it ventures into human - inhabited areas to escape the heat or seek prey items . this increases the species’ interactions with humans . other than humans , its main predators include the honey badger , meerkat , and the mongoose , all of which are thought to have evolved a resistance or decreased sensitivity to the cape cobra’s predominately neurotoxic and cardiotoxic venom .
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the egyptian cobra is one of the largest cobras of the african continent . the head is large and depressed and slightly distinct from the neck . the neck of this species has long cervical ribs capable of expanding to form a hood , like all other cobras . the snout of the egyptian cobra is moderately broad and rounded . the eyes are quite big with round pupils . the body of the egyptian cobra is cylindrical and stout with a long tail . the length of the egyptian cobra is largely dependent on subspecies , geographical locale , and population . the average length of this species is between
adult indian cobras measure about 4 to 7 feet in length and feed primarily on rodents . individuals are often encountered in villages because of the associated abundant prey items , although the cobra’s natural habitat includes open fields , forest edges , agricultural land and wetlands . the indian cobra is the species typically used by snake charmers in india . in hindu mythology , it is considered a powerful god , and it remains greatly respected and feared in hindu culture . rudyard kipling featured a pair of indian cobras in his famous short story rikki - tikki - tavi .
colors vary widely from species to species . there are red , yellow , black , mottled , banded and many other colors and patterns of cobra .
the egyptian cobra has grown in popularity among herpetoculturists in the west and is now frequently bred in captivity and readily available in the exotic pet trade .
while the king cobra’s venom is not as toxic as that of some highly venomous species , the sheer volume produced in a single bite is enough to kill 20 to 30 adult humans or a fully - grown asian elephant ( 3 ) ( 8 ) . nevertheless , as this species is generally non - aggressive and occupies deep forest , bites to humans and the resulting fatalities are rare ( 2 ) .
sources : 1 . african forest elephant classification ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 2 . african forest elephant conservation ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 3 . african forest elephant habitat ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 4 . african forest elephant information ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 5 . african forest elephant threats ( date unknown ) available at : [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 6 . david burnie , dorling kindersley ( 2008 ) illustrated encyclopedia of animals [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 7 . david burnie , kingfisher ( 2011 ) the kingfisher animal encyclopedia [ accessed at : 01 jan 2011 ] 8 . david w . macdonald , oxford university press ( 2010 ) the encyclopedia of mammals [ accessed at : 01 jan 2010 ] 9 . dorling kindersley ( 2006 ) dorling kindersley encyclopedia of animals [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ] 10 . richard mackay , university of california press ( 2009 ) the atlas of endangered species [ accessed at : 01 jan 2009 ] 11 . tom jackson , lorenz books ( 2007 ) the world encyclopedia of animals [ accessed at : 10 nov 2008 ]
tryon , bw . ( 15 november 1979 ) .
reproduction in captive forest cobras , naja melanoleuca ( serpentes : elapidae )
. journal of herpetology ( society for the study of amphibians and reptiles ) 13 ( 4 ) : 499 . jstor 1563487 .
in thai language , it sounds like ngoo how chang ( literally “snake cobra elephant” , or ngoo chong ahng . there are many names for this snake .
forest cobras hail from africa - - specifically the central portion of the continent and then further south . their geographic grounds are made up of nations such as uganda , south africa , angola , mozambique , congo , the central african republic and cameroon , among others .
just then , a deep growl emanated from the bushes . i looked up and towering above me was a king cobra , its golden hood afire in the evening light , its eyes pinned on me . i let go of its tail , but instead of attacking me , the cobra streaked off through the undergrowth .
what makes a king cobra scary is its size – males can reach over five metres long – and its venom . it has huge toxin glands in its ‘cheeks’ and can inject up to 7ml at a time ( though , drop for drop , its venom is less toxic than that of a common cobra ) .
the king cobra is classified as vulnerable ( vu ) on the iucn red list ( 1 ) and is listed on appendix ii of cites ( 3 ) .
mackay , n . , j . ferguson , g . mcnicol . 1969 . effects of three cobra venoms on blood coagulation , platelet aggregation , and fibrinolysis .
recently tom charlton and i found a 3 - meter king cobra in krabi and got some great shots and video of it . facebook photo of it here .
informed the public that their reptile house was closed after a venomous adolescent female banded egyptian cobra was discovered missing from its off - exhibit enclosure on march 25 .
i raced after the fleeing serpent , and grabbed its tail a second time . the cobra swung around and charged at me open - mouthed . using a stick to keep the snake at bay , i managed to pull my sleeping bag out of my rucksack and prop it open . the cobra saw the dark hole as an escape route and slid inside . this was my very first encounter with a wild king cobra and i can still feel that adrenalin rush 30 years later .
due to the legend that states that cleopatra committed suicide by being bitten by an egyptian cobra . she probably chose this snake for its quick - acting venom .
finding a king cobra comes down to just two things . persistence , and luck . that’s it really . you can try to go out during daytime hours , or limited daytime hours . you can go out early evenings only . you can target patches of bamboo . you can go out during mating season . you can go out in areas where they are known to have been previously . you can rub captive king cobra feces all over your pants and walk around the forest . to my knowledge , it is only people who are persistent and who get lucky , that will find king cobras .
habitat tropical and subtropical rainforest and formerly forested regions , but restricted to more open savanna forest near the coast in southern africa . usually found in the vicinity of water in dryer regions . persists in and around inhabited areas , particularly many central african towns and formerly forested regions .
has a very small distribution only being found in the following areas north east kwazulu - natal , southern mozambique and on the east zimbabwe border . its preferred habitat is lowland forest or costal savanna thickets . it is common to find these snakes both in trees and small shrubs .
but what about the black mamba ( dendroaspis polylepis ) then ? look closely – it also has the ability to spread a small hood . is it a cobra ?
the monocled cobra ( naja kaouthia ) is one of the most readily recognized cobra species because of the unique , o - shaped pattern on its dorsal hood . its range extends from southeast to southern asia , including india , china , vietnam , cambodia , malaysia , bangladesh , thailand ( where they are responsible for the greatest number of human fatalities resulting from snake envonmation ) , nepal , laos and myanmar . monocled cobras can inhabit a wide range of habitats , including grassland , forest , scrubland , and in or around human - inhabited areas . often , they are found in agricultural zones such as rice paddies .
by this definition snakes like the king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) , the rinkhals ( hemachatus haemachatus ) and the cape coral snake ( aspidelaps lubricus ) are all cobras .
in thai language , it sounds like ngoo chang ang ( งูจงอาง ) ( literally “snake elephant cobra” , or ngoo chong ahng . there are many names for this snake .
young , b . a . ( 1991 ) morphological basis of “growling” in the king cobra , ophiophagus hannah . the journal of experimental zoology , 260 : 275 - 287 .
and although these iconic snakes are quite familiar to us , there is still very little known about them . many so - called cobra snake facts are nothing more than hearsay .
one of the best short king cobra films i’ve been able to shoot is here with my friend , tom charlton as he catches his first king after a decade of trying .
senegal eastward through ivory coast , ghana , nigeria , cameroon , central african republic , gabon , congo , and democratic republic of congo to uganda , kenya , western ethiopia , southern somalia , and tanzania , south to angola and zululand , in forest and savanna regions . also on zanzibar island .
, this cobra is highly adaptable and can be found in drier climates within its geographical range . it is a very capable swimmer and is often considered to be semi - aquatic .
black - lipped cobras are the largest true cobra species native to africa . cobsy measures about 2 . 4m in length , close to the maximum recorded length of 2 . 7m .
the table below shows the 28 species of cobra currently recognised worldwide but excludes any subspecies . ten of the 28 are spitting cobras as can been seen in the ‘common name’ column .
the king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) is the longest venomous snake species , with adults ranging from about 8 to 18 feet in length . they may live up to 25 years .
the ancient egyptians worshiped the egyptian cobra or asp and it represented the
fiery eye of re
, so it was used as a symbol on the crown of the pharaohs .
the forest cobra can be found in forests and and shrublands throughout most of sub - saharan africa . countries in which it occurs include : sierra leone , liberia , ghana , togo , benin , nigeria , cameroon , gabon , kenya , uganda , rwanda , burundi , cote d’ivoire , mali , senegal , guinea , the republic of congo , angola , and the central african republic . it is found in only small portions of south africa , but does occur in southern mozambique and eastern zimbabwe .
snakes have appeared strongly in the lore of many cultures as symbols of strength , creativity , cosmic energy and of creation itself . but no snake features more prominently than the iconic cobra .
broadley , d . g . ( 1995 ) the snouted cobra , naja annulifera , a valid species in southern africa . journal of the herpetological association of africa , 44 , 26–32 .
the egyptian cobra gained notoriety in the u . s . in 2011 , when mia , a resident of the bronx zoo , escaped . she was eventually discovered in the reptile house .
king cobra venom is highly toxic and the snake can deliver a considerable amount in a single bite , upwards of 200 to 500 mg of venom . the venom affects the central nervous system , which causes blurred vision , vertigo , drowsiness , and paralysis . it then causes the collapse of the cardiovascular system and eventually respiratory failure . immediate medical treatment is essential to enhance survival from a king cobra snakebite . it is said that death can come to a person bitten by a king cobra within 30 minutes , depending on the amount of venom delivered during the envenomation .
the king cobra is listed on appendix ii of the convention on international trade in endangered species ( cites ) which controls trade through the use of permits and maximum export quotas ( 3 ) .
but there are times when even an alert cobra gets surprised by an unsuspecting person or other large animal . when this happens the first thing you’ll often see is the cobra snake spread a hood ; an impressive display of sign language which , if you read between the lines , clearly states “i’m frightened but don’t test me , i will defend myself if you get too close ! ”
king cobras use their venom to subdue their prey – other snakes . rising up over its intended victim , the king cobra clamps its jaws around the snake’s body and holds it in a suffocating grip until it stops struggling . the cobra’s venom attacks its victim’s nervous system , making its muscles limp . in about 10 minutes , the victim suffocates ; swallowing takes another 10 or 15 minutes .
thais are a bit crazy about cobras – it is the most easily recognized snake , and though i have met few people that can identify other snakes , most know what a cobra looks like .
recently tom charlton wrote the first comprehensive book on the history of king cobras , called “king cobra : natural history and captive management . ” you can contact tom directly at the email address below .
farmers near mangalore witnessed a four - metre - long king cobra subdue and swallow a two - metre - long python , which it went on to digest in a ditch for the following week .
very toxic , but monocled cobras ( naja kaouthia ) and kraits ( genus bungarus ) are more potent on the ld50 scale . the power of the king cobra is in the volume of venom it can inject in one bite – maximum around 7 ml ! kings can ( and have ) supposedly killed elephants with a good bite . more information on venom constituents and treatment for king cobra snakebite here .
the forests of agumbe in karnataka are the wettest and thickest in south india , and excellent snake habitat . i was walking along a forest path when i saw a black snake tail disappear into some bushes . “rat snake ! ” i thought , and dived for it , bruising knees and elbows as my fingers wrapped around its smooth skin .
can be quick to strike in response to sudden movements . the tongue is also used to search for and pick up scent molecules in the air . the molecules are then brought into the mouth and analyzed inside the jacobson’s organ , which is located at the base of the nasal cavity . through this process , forest cobras can detect the scent of nearby prey or pheromones secreted by the opposite sex . while snakes lack an external ear , they are able to detect vibrations ranging from 50 to 1000 hz . when the snake is on the ground , sound waves travel via spinal nerves to the jaw muscle , where it is then transferred to the quadrate bone . the stapes ( or columella ) then transmits the vibrations to the inner ear . when threatened , the forest cobra will perform a defensive display typical of its genus . it will extend its hood and rear up its body .
they don’t . not like spitting cobras spit venom . however , if your face is close to one , and the king cobra strikes , you may feel venom hit your face as it leaks out .
forest cobras tend to weigh between 5 and 8 pounds , they measure 6 to 8 feet . the arboreal meat - eating reptiles have broad , flesh - based diets ; some of their typical prey include fellow fish , rodents , birds , frogs and other reptiles . in captivity , they generally eat rats . these venomous snakes employ neurotoxins to paralyze their targeted meals . when forest cobras live in captive settings like zoos , they can live for as long as 18 years . they lead independent , rather than companionable , lifestyles . they are highly aquatic . in times of breeding , the females of the species produce between 15 and 26 eggs . they are oviparous , and their eggs hatch externally .
the indian cobra feeds on rodents , lizards and frogs . it bites quickly , and then waits while its venom damages the nervous system of the prey , paralyzing and often killing it . like all snakes ,
the king cobra has a large range , extending from india , east to bangladesh , myanmar , cambodia , southern china , laos , thailand , vietnam , malaysia , indonesia and the philippines ( 5 ) .
to learn more about this fascinating genus of snakes , i have put together this article to dispel some myths and set the cobra snake facts straight . i hope you learn something new , i certainly did .
in egypt the cobra goddess wadjet , the celestial serpent , was seen as the giver of food and immortality and at an even deeper level may have represented mother earth ; the symbol , known as uraeus , is a stylised upright version of the egyptian cobra naja haje ( see table at the end of this post ) which was also indicated in the suicidal death of cleopatra and represents royalty , deity and divine authority .
in contrast to the normal hissing sound produced by most snake species in response to threats , the king cobra makes a distinctive growl , which emanates from the throat and deepens as the snake grows ( 6 ) .
the longest of all living venomous snakes , the magnificent king cobra ( ophiophagus hannah ) has been the inspiration for a variety of myths and legends within its native range ( 3 ) ( 4 ) . this species is not a true cobra of the genus naja , and instead belongs to a unique genus ophiophagus , whose scientific name derives from the greek for “snake - eating” , in reference to its dietary habits ( 5 ) .
the most well - known snake enemy is the mongoose – its lightning speed ( watch the video to see this ) allows it to quickly bite the back of a cobra’s neck and head before it can defend itself .
the king cobra ' s average size is 10 - 12 feet , but can reach 18 feet . the full grown king cobra is yellow , green , brown , or black . there are usually yellowish or white cross - bars or chevrons on its body . the belly may be uniform in color or ornamented with bars . the throat is light yellow or cream - colored . the juveniles are jet - black , with yellow or white cross - bars on the body and tail and four similar cross - bars on the head . the king cobra is regarded as a fierce and aggressive snake , and its length and size give it an awesome appearance .


the yellow-eyed penguin ( megadyptes antipodes ) or hoiho is a penguin native to new zealand .

previously thought closely related to the little penguin ( eudyptula minor ) , molecular research has shown it more closely related to penguins of the genus eudyptes .

like most other penguins , it is mainly piscivorous .

the species breeds along the eastern and south-eastern coastlines of the south island of new zealand , as well as stewart island , auckland islands , and campbell islands .

colonies on the otago peninsula are a popular tourist venue , where visitors may closely observe penguins from hides , trenches , or tunnels .

on the new zealand mainland , the species has experienced a significant decline over the past 20 years .

on the otago peninsula , numbers have dropped by 75 % since the mid-1990s and population trends indicate the possibility of local extinction in the next 20 to 40 years .

while rising ocean temperatures play an important role , it appears that human activities at sea ( fisheries , pollution ) may have an equal if not greater influence on the species ' downward trend .

yellow - eyed penguin

the yellow - eyed penguin is the third largest penguin behind the emperor penguin , the largest and the king penguin being the second largest .
penguin place is a private conservation reserve dedicated to helping the endangered yellow - eyed penguin survive .
the voice of the yellow - eyed penguin is semi - musical when compared to other penguin calls .
no sub - species of the yellow - eyed penguin have been found yet .
a yellow - eyed penguin on the otago peninsula stares out at the ocean .
yellow - eyed penguin ' s population has declined 76 percent from 1996 to 2015 .
yellow - eyed penguin trust volunteer juliette parsons said the penguin place health centre was a necessity for locally injured penguins .
penguin place , otago peninsula - a cute yellow - eyed penguin plays to the unseen crowd in the penguin hide above otago harbour . credit : tourism dunedin
yellow - eyed penguin trust ( yept ) and doc , with other key groups , have been involved with penguin monitoring .
) was also observed , another important yellow - eyed penguin prey species . brittle stars (
more in - depth information can be found on the yellow - eyed penguin trust website .
the yellow - eyed penguin is a medium - sized penguin with pale yellow eyes , growing to approximately 65 centimetres in height . the average weight for an adult is 5 to 6 kilograms . the yellow - eyed penguin has a pale yellow head with black feather shafts .
donate your time or money to help penguin protection groups , such as the yellow - eyed penguin trust and forest & bird .
mrs parsons is involved with several aspects of helping the yellow - eyed penguin trust , including transporting penguins to and from penguin place .
the yellow - eyed penguin is named for the band of yellow that runs from its eyes to the back of its head .
is easily identified by its yellow coloured eyes and bright yellow band that runs from its eyes round the back of the yellow - eyed penguin ' s head .
only 1500 to 1700 pairs of yellow - eyed penguin population were identified in a survey in 2010 .
colorful plants , trees , and humidity are part of the natural landscape of the yellow - eyed penguin .
the yellow - eyed penguin trust and doc completed the annual yellow - eyed penguins / hoiho monitoring along the otago and southland coastline and estimate that there are 260 breeding pairs .
unique to new zealand , the hoiho , or yellow - eyed penguin , is thought to be one of the world ' s rarest penguin species .
some of the images of the yellow - eyed penguin listed here will give you an idea of their appearance .
yellow - eyed penguin foraging study , south - eastern new zealand , 1991 - 1993 . science & research series
the rare yellow - eyed penguin , or hoiho , is one of new zealand’s most iconic and beloved animals .
avian diptheria has killed one in three yellow - eyed penguin chicks hatched at two north otago colonies this year .
the yellow - eyed penguin trust’s work involves the conservation of coastal ecosystems that include yellow - eyed penguin breeding habitats . it has protected yellow - eyed penguin habitats along the otago and southland coastlines by establishing penguin reserves , providing fencing to protect nests from wandering stock , replanting breeding areas with native trees and shrubs produced at its own nursery ( 5 , 000 . . . continue
a yellow - eyed penguin found sick and underweight in the catlins last month has been returned to the wild after recovering in penguin place on otago peninsula .
) protruded from the otherwise featureless seafloor . yellow - eyed penguin prey species such as juvenile forms of benthic blue cod (
the yellow - eyed penguin consultative group is an umbrella group made up of those individuals and groups , which have an interest in the conservation of yellow - eyed penguin through out its range . the group meets 4 times a year and organises an
as their name implies , yellow - eyed penguins have pale yellow eyes . their head is also pale yellow . a band of bright yellow extends from their eyes around the back of the head .
geographical characteristics , foraging and diving parameters for eight lines determined from yellow - eyed penguin foraging tracks recorded between 2004 and 2012 .
as well as being an extraordinary bird in its own right , the yellow - eyed penguin is also valuable to the local economy .
the department of conservation ( doc ) needed to put more resources towards managing the remaining yellow - eyed penguin population , she said .
. another conservation effort is the yellow - eyed penguin trust , which teaches people about the penguins and collects funds for their conservation . there are only a few thousand yellow - eyed penguins living in the world today .
along with the yellow - eyed penguin trust and others , we have completed the annual yellow - eyed penguins / hoiho monitoring along the otago and southland coastline . it ' s estimated that there are 260 breeding pairs .
yellow - eyed penguin . adult walking on beach . sandfly bay , otago peninsula , december 2012 . image © philip griffin by philip griffin
the yellow eyed penguin ( megadyptes antipodes ) , also known by the maori as the hoiho ( noise shouter ) lives and breeds on the otago peninsula in dunedin . the yellow eyed penguin is currently the rarest penguin in the world . it is a large penguin standing between 65 - - 79 cm and weighing 7 - 8 kgs fully grown . the best viewing for yellow - eyed penguins in dunedin is with a local tourism operator through specific hides , or viewing stations . urltoken
the yellow - eyed penguin ' s marine habitat is equally important because it provides food , and allows for dispersal and movement between land habitats .
penguin land : conservation minister steve chadwick ( right ) and former reserve landowner max affleck unveiling the site of the new reserve at long point , established for the protection of the yellow - eyed penguin .
the yellow - eyed penguin or hoiho is a penguin found in new zealand , on the south - east coast of south island , foveaux strait and stewart island / rakiura and auckland and campbell islands .
researchers for the yellow - eyed penguin trust ( yept ) along with otago and massey university scientists and the department of conservation cannot find a cause .
the yellow - eyed penguin forages predominantly over the continental shelf between 1 and 16 miles offshore , diving to depths of 131 ft to 394 feet .
source / reference article learn how you can use or cite the yellow - eyed penguin article in your website content , school work and other projects .
2012 .
penguins : basic facts
( on - line ) . yellow - eyed penguin trust . accessed october 17 , 2012 at urltoken .
van heezik , y . , p . seddon . 1989 . stomach sampling in the yellow - eyed penguin : erosion of otoliths and squid beaks .
coastal otago operations manager annie wallace said a small number of dead adult yellow - eyed penguins were found recently as part of regular penguin nest monitoring .
for interested members to report back on their year ' s activities . the symposium also has an annual theme relating to yellow - eyed penguin conservation .
inappropriate behaviour by visitors to yellow eye penguin habitats is an increasing threat to nesting and moulting birds .
the otago population of yellow - eyed penguins has been affected by avian diphtheria , she said .
yellow - eyed penguins are sedentary birds that usually stay in one area , except when hunting .
the yellow - eyed penguin usually nests in forest or scrub . it feeds mainly on blue cod , red cod , opal fish , sprat and squid .
the yellow - eyed penguin trust is a conservation organisation dedicated to the protection of yellow - eyed penguins . through generous sponsorship by organisations like mainland products ltd , they have been able to purchase several areas of penguin habitat and are working to revegetate them and restore habitat for penguins . they can be contacted at
the yellow - eyed penguin is often referred to as the rarest penguin in the world , although , unfortunately , there are others that could lay claim to that crown too : especially the galapagos and fiordland penguins .
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any further losses of yellow - eyed penguins will bring forward the date of their local extinction .
according to richdale ' s account of the types of behaviour , the yellow - eyed penguin has various call notes which apparently include a good proportion of yelling .
65 cm . medium - sized penguin with pale yellow eye . pale yellow head with black feather shafts . band of bright yellow from eyes around back of head . juvenile has greyer head with no band .
66–76 cm ; 3·6–8·9 kg . the only penguin with pale yellow band through eye . adult has light straw - yellow feathers with black shaft streaks . . .
moore , p . j . 2001 . historical records of yellow - eyed penguin ( megadyptes antipodes ) in southern new zealand . notornis 48 : 145 - 156 .
yellow - eyed penguin trust science advisor trudi webster said because of the 2013 event , the trust was being proactive in collecting samples from the dead penguins for testing .
yellow - eyed penguins swim great distances and dive to extraordinary depths for food . there are only a few hundred of this rare penguin living on the catlins coast .
breeds once a year , forming pairs that usually remain faithful to one another . the female yellow - eyed
yellow - eyed penguins get their name from the color of their eyes and the band around their head .
“we need to get organized , ” mattern said . the yellow - eyed penguins are depending on it .
penguin numbers are still below sustainable levels , but it could have been a lot worse had it not been for everyone who contributed , large or small , to the conservation of this unique bird - the yellow - eyed penguin .
standing 65 cm tall and weighing 5 to 6 kg , the yellow - eyed is the fourth largest of the worlds penguins . the distinguishing feature of the yellow - eyed penguin is its distinctive yellow eye and bright yellow stripe that runs through the eye and around the back of the head . both sexes are alike , although the male does have slightly larger head and feet .
yellow - eyed penguin / hoiho adults and chick ( mp3 , 2 , 417k ) 02 : 34 – parents calling in the vicinity of the nest and feeding chicks .
in parts of the coastal south island habitat , yellow - eyed penguin breeding grounds have fallen silent and only
the odd lonely pair
of penguins cling to survival .
ellenberg u , mattern t ( 2012 ) yellow - eyed penguin : review of population information . marine conservation services programme . wellington : department of conservation . available : .
elm has taken further steps towards protecting the world’s rarest penguin ( the yellow eyed ) and its terrestrial environment by enhancing habitat , nest site creation and predator control programmes .
yellow - eyed penguins are dying in droves on stewart island and scientists are at a loss to explain why .
seddon , p . , l . davis . 1989 . nest - site selection by yellow - eyed penguins .
color : juvenile yellow - eyed penguins have a grayish head and gray iris , unlike the adults that have light yellow heads with yellow iris . adults have black feathers , with dark brown throat and chin . it has bright stripe of yellow from the nape to the eyes .
habitat protection and restoration ( including predator control ) is managed by the department of conservation ( doc ) , the yellow - eyed penguin trust , community groups , and private landowners .
seddon , p . j . 2013 [ updated 2017 ] . yellow - eyed penguin . in miskelly , c . m . ( ed . ) new zealand birds online . urltoken
what we do know is that sadly , only about 1 , 700 breeding pairs of yellow - eyed penguin are left , making it one of the rarest penguins in the world .
the company has also established and financially funded a project to rejuvenate the yellow eyed penguin population . this is one of only two privately funded conservation projects in new zealand , and has had a significant effect on the growth of the rare penguin population .
yellow - eyed penguins lay two eggs and parents typically raise both chicks , which can be nearly equal in size .
houston dm ( 2005 ) diphtheritic stomatitis in yellow - eyed penguins . new zealand journal of zoology 32 : 267 .
the scientific name of the yellow - eyed penguin is megadyptes antipodes which means big diver from the southern lands ( mega = big , dyptes = diver , antipodes = southern lands ) .
our commitment to new zealand’s nature / environment is reflected in membership of the yellow - eyed penguin trust and the yellow - eyed penguin consultative group . the survival of the yellow - eyed penguin on otago peninsula close to dunedin provides a major challenge and needs to be managed through active contributions by all parties involved , including the concerned public . in co - operation with the department of conservation ( doc ) , nature guides otago is supporting a volunteer warden program for sandfly bay which was established in 2007 . this closely monitored program provides guidance and education for the public and independent travelers with the aim to reduce stress for the yellow - eyed penguins and to enhance the visitors’ nature experience .
where the yellow - eyed penguin has come into contact with european settlement it has suffered a considerable reduction in numbers . this is the case on the otago peninsular where a good deal of the forest has been cleared with the consequent destruction of the bird ' s breeding grounds . for the birds on the otago peninsular , richdale informs me that squid and small fish , yellow - eyed mullet and red cod , have been identified by him as part of the food of the yellow - eyed penguin .
the rata was planted with the help of the reserve land ' s previous owner max affleck _ who still owns 700 surrounding hectares _ and yellow - eyed penguin trust founding trustee lala frazer .
the population trend for the yellow - eyed penguin is decreasing and there are some conservation actions being taken such as policy - based actions , research actions , and habitat and site - based actions .
yellow eyed penguin trust manager sue murray said she was concerned at the developments in the moreraki colonies , and staff were checking on chicks in the trust ' s managed colonies on the otago peninsula .
although they nest in loose ‘colonies’ , mated yellow - eyed penguins seek solitude , often nesting out of sight of each other .
is a parasite that has been found on wild yellow - eyed penguins . there is not much information on the ecosystem role of
the yellow - eyed penguin is equally dependant on marine and land habitats , which include forest and coastal scrubland . habitats adjacent to the coastline that have been burnt or developed for farming restrict nesting options .
its māori name , hoiho ( meaning noise shouter ) , was given because of its shrill call . the yellow - eyed penguin is also known as takaraka , and an ancient māori name was tavora .
penguin place . 2012 .
conservation project
( on - line ) . penguin place conservation reserve . accessed november 13 , 2012 at urltoken .
the yellow - eyed penguin is struggling to survive on mainland nz . the yellow - eyed penguin trust is involved in monitoring and maintaining ( predator control , replanting , nest monitoring ) a large number of sites on the mainland and stewart island . as it does not run a revenue - generating touristic operation , the trust relies largely on donations and a number of dedicated volunteers . donations may be made online .
we financially fund this project of many years to assist the local population of yellow eyed penguins viewed by our customers . this has been extremely successful with the population slowly growing . the project is one of only two funded and managed by commercial operators . others are funded by government and other organisations such as the yellow eyed penguin trust .
the largest penguin that does not live in the antarctic . a defining trait of this particular penguin is their yellow eyes . the characteristic used to distinguish between adult and juvenile penguins is the presence of yellow plumage on the adult ' s heads . yellow feathers are not present on juvenile penguins until they molt , around the age of one .
australian economist professor clem tisdell ( university of queensland ) calculated that nature - based tourism ( relying primarily on the yellow - eyed penguin ) returned $ 100 million annually to the dunedin economy in 2007 . this figure is likely to be higher today . a single breeding pair of yellow - eyed penguins could be worth $ 60 , 000 .
about 50ha of catlins farmland had been set aside for the protection of the yellow - eyed penguin , the new conservation minister steve chadwick said yesterday at an unveiling ceremony at long point , just south of owaka .
rarest of all the penguins , the yellow - eyed penguin is unique in appearance and behaviour . these solitary birds have experienced population declines in the last 50 years due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species .
sharks , barracouta , fur seals and new zealand sea lions take yellow - eyed penguins at sea . yellow - eyed penguin adults and chicks periodically succumb to disease . there was a major die - off of adults in 1990 , and in more recent breeding seasons young chicks in mainland breeding sites have become infected with a disease described as diphtheritic stomatitis .
the largest of the penguins breeding on the new zealand mainland , the yellow - eyed penguin has become a flagship species for nature - based tourism in the southern south island . recent research has revealed the presence on the south island of a sister species , the waitaha penguin megadyptes waitaha . up until c . 1500 ad , yellow - eyed penguins were restricted to auckland and campbell islands , while the mainland was occupied by waitaha penguins . it is thought that waitaha penguins were harvested to extinction , their disappearance enabling straggler yellow - eyed penguins from the subantarctic to establish on the mainland , where human - induced extirpation of large marine mammals allowed them to expand into the population we see today . the endemic yellow - eyed penguin is now the only extant member of the genus megadyptes .
yellow - eyed penguins are forest or shrubland nesting birds , usually preferring to nest in a secluded site and backed up to a bank , tree or log . although they nest in loose
colonies
, yellow - eyed penguins do not nest within sight of each other .
yellow - eyed penguins / hoiho are one of the rarest penguins in the world and are only found in new zealand ( endemic ) .
yellow - eyed penguins have a long breeding season starting with courtship in august and finally ending with fledging of the chicks the following march .
dog owners are being warned they must take better control of their dogs following the deaths of two yellow - eyed penguins / hoiho in the catlins if they want to help the species survive . in the past month , two of the nationally endangered birds have been attacked and killed along the catlins coast at the yellow - eyed penguin trust’s . . . continue
get rid of the books and lecture theatres - this is what wildlife biology is really like - on your hands and knees bashing through 400 metres of bush every day in the hunt for yellow - eyed penguin nests .
elm wildlife tours is pleased to work along side conservation aware land owners towards the preservation of yellow eyed penguins , which are considered to be the world ' s rarest penguin species , with a little over 5000 remaining in the world . in the effort to save the yellow eyed penguin , we have carried out extensive habitat planting , construction of nest sites and predator control , all of which are crucial to the survival of the penguins .
the yellow - eyed penguin is in great peril on the peninsula ― and on the new zealand mainland as a whole , researchers found . climate change and other effects of human activity could drive the species extinct locally in
fortunately , mattern said , there is still hope for the yellow - eyed penguin and the habitat to which it belongs . “all is not yet lost , ” he said . “we haven’t reached the critical threshold . ”
14 . of the 17 penguin species , the most endangered is new zealand’s yellow - eyed penguin ( megadyptes antipodes ) : only around 4 , 000 birds survive in the wild today . but other species are in trouble , including the erect - crested penguin ( eudyptes sclateri ) of new zealand , which has lost approximately 70 percent of its population over the past 20 years , and the galapagos penguin , which has lost more than 50 percent since the 1970s .
to get a peek at the famed penguin , named for the band of bright yellow that runs from its eyes to the back of its head .
darby , j . t . ; seddon , p . j . 1990 . breeding biology of the yellow - eyed penguin . pp . 45 - 62 . in penguin biology ( eds davis , l . s . ; darby , j . t . ) . academic press , orlando , florida .
2 darby jt , and seddon pj , 1990 . breeding biology of yellow - eyed penguins ( megadyptes antipodes ) . in : penguin biology . edited by ls davis and jt darby . academic press , san diego usa .
this is not unusual for this time of year , however we are mindful of the 2013 event where 67 adult penguins died – an event that only affected yellow - eyed penguin / hoiho adults ,
she said .
doc ' s coastal otago operations manager annie wallace says
a small number of dead adult yellow - eyed penguins have recently been found as part of regular penguin nest monitoring . this is not unusual for this time of year however we are mindful of the 2013 event where 67 adult penguins died , an event that only affected yellow - eyed penguin / hoiho adults . we are working with wildbase of massey university to determine the likely cause of these deaths . in the interim we are increasing the frequency of monitoring penguin sites
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in the paper , they wrote : “now we all know that yellow - eyed penguins are quietly slipping away we need to make a choice .
the department of conservation is concerned about the number of yellow - eyed penguins , with breeding pairs hitting a record low for two years running .
the yellow - eyed penguin is said to be one of the rarest penguins in the world . it can be found in new zealand and is called hoiho or
noise shouters
by the maori of new zealand . the yellow - eyed penguin is the fourth largest penguin and its most distinguishing feature is their yellow eyes and the bright yellow stripe that runs by the eye and around to the back of its neck . these penguins feed on a variety of fish , mostly opal fish , silverside , sprat , aruhu , and red cod . they also eat arrow squid . when the penguins feed , they tend to go near the bottom , and can go quite far off shore .
yellow - eyed penguins are easily identifiable among other species because of the yellow color of their eyes and also because the plumage of the back , flippers , and the tail is not dark black as in other species .
about 70 per cent of the penguin chicks have died over the past six years .
the penguin has set up its nest near a proposed walking track in curio bay .
the current status of the yellow - eyed penguin is endangered , with an estimated population of 4 , 000 . it is considered one of the worlds rarest penguin species . the main threats include habitat degradation , introduced predators as well as environmental changes . it is thought to be the most ancient of all living penguins .
a new disease , leucocytozoonosis , was identified during the 2005 season that caused mortality of chicks on stewart island . yellow - eyed penguin chicks on the auckland islands were also found to be infected with leucocytozoon during disease screening in 2008 .
first breeding occurs at 3 - 4 years of age and long term partnerships are formed . yellow - eyed penguins may live for up to 24 years
yellow - eyed penguins ' habitat ranges across the southeast south island , banks peninsula , stewart island , and auckland , campbell , and codfish islands .
urltoken thomas mattern ' s blog on research into the foraging ecology of yellow - eyed penguins on new zealand ' s otago peninsula and stewart island .
are the only terrestrial mammals that are capable of predation on adult yellow - eyed penguins . however , non - terrestrial predators include new zealand sea lions
each autumn penguins replace all their feathers in a process called the moult . during this time penguins must sit ashore for 25 days to grow new feathers , and are unable to go to sea . the moult is a very dangerous time for them because disturbance can lead to increased stress and potentially permanent damage to new feathers . where yellow eyed penguin moult in areas where they can be disturbed doc staff and the yellow - eyed penguin trust will move them to safer habitats .
adults are unmistakable with their yellow eyes and yellow eye - stripes that join on the back of the head . moulting birds and birds at sea can be confused with crested penguins . immature birds are similar to adults but have a pale yellow chin and a less vivid yellow eye - stripe .
the yellow - eyed penguin is one of the most endangered of all penguin species ( 3 ) . these birds are slate grey with a white breast . as their common name suggests they have yellow eyes , accentuated by the yellow band that runs from the eyes around the back of the head ( 4 ) . males and females are identical but juveniles lack the yellow eyes and bands of older birds ( 2 ) . the maori name for these birds is ‘hoiho’ , which means ‘the noise shouter’ in reference to their shrill call ( 5 ) .
whether linear foraging patterns in yellow - eyed penguins from the otago peninsula are associated with a diet of reduced quality remains a matter of conjecture at this stage and more research is required to substantiate this hypothesis . however , the circumstantial evidence suggests that yellow - eyed penguins are likely exposed to cascading fisheries effects where disturbances of the benthic habitat influence the assemblages of benthic species and penguin prey , which is reflected in penguin behaviour , diet composition , and subsequent impacts on reproductive outcome .
generally searches for food up 10 miles offshore , and travels ( on average ) around 15 miles away from the colonies nesting site . the yellow - eyed
though penguins generally form colonies , these yellow - eyed ones are known to be making nests beyond the sight of others as they are not very social .
elm wildlife tours , based on the otago peninsula , quietly goes about its work , showcasing the natural beauty of the otago area , paying particular attention to the unique and rare yellow eyed penguin , as well as blue penguins and sea lions .
climate change and other effects of human activity are driving the endangered penguin to the brink .
yellow - eyed penguin trust science advisor trudi webster says
because of the 2013 event , we are being proactive in collecting samples from the dead penguins for testing . we plan to use analysis of these results to compare to the 2013 event
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species by the international union for conservation of nature , the yellow - eyed penguin is one of the rarest penguins on the planet . endemic to new zealand , the bird is found in three distinct clusters . about 40 percent live on the new zealand
juvenile yellow - eyeds look very similar to the adults , but lack the yellow head band . they gain their adult plumage at one year of age .
in a new study , researchers developed a model to predict what will happen to the yellow - eyed penguins on the otago peninsula over the next few decades .
on a small island hundreds of kilometres south of bluff , kiwi scientists are carrying out a census of sorts . they ' re trying to work out the population of our endangered yellow - eyed penguin . but the birds don ' t make it easy .
there are a number of conservation organisations in new zealand working to conserve penguins . some like the department of conservation and forest and bird work at a national level with many species and habitats while others like the yellow - eyed penguin trust are species specific .
65 cm . , 5 . 5 kg . , crown and sides of face pale golden yellow , band of yellow from eye around the back of head .
yellow - eyed penguins breed in forest or scrubland , choosing to build nests against rocks or tree trunks , which provide some protection from the elements ( 2 ) .
more than 100 , 000 visitors make their way through the catlins each year to view the 180 million - year - old fossil forest as well as the area ' s wildlife , such as yellow eyed penguin , rare hector dolphins , seals and sea lions .
mattern said people may point to the two subantarctic clusters as a reason to not worry about the yellow - eyed penguin on the mainland . “if the penguins disappear here , they can just say , well , we still have them on the subantarctic islands . ”
is not a colonial penguin , meaning it does not live in large groups with other penguins .
the yellow - eyed penguin may be the rarest penguin in the world . the coastal forests of their habitat , particularly of mainland new zealand , have been destroyed to make way for development and agriculture . introduced sheep and cattle pose a threat as they can trample on penguin nests and overgraze the area , destroying further habitat ( 2 ) . in 1986 and 1990 there were two major population crashes , the causes of which remain a mystery ( 6 ) . the other major threat to the yellow - eyed penguin comes from introduced mammalian predators such as ferrets , cats , rats and dogs ; juvenile penguins or adults during their moult phase are extremely vulnerable to predation and numbers have been decimated over the years ( 2 ) .
the yellow - eyed penguin is endemic to new zealand and breeds on the sub - antarctic auckland and campbell islands , along the southeast coast of new zealand’s south island , and stewart island and its outliers . the species is classified endangered in the 2013 red list [
on 19 february 2013 , we undertook a one - day cruise on the university of otago research vessel polaris ii to the foraging grounds of yellow - eyed penguins from the otago peninsula . two offshore stations were chosen that coincided with lines determined from penguin foraging tracks (
dr ursula ellenberg , of la trobe university , who has researched yellow - eyed penguins for the past 14 years , said : “it is sobering to see the previously busy penguin - breeding areas now overgrown and silent , with only the odd lonely pair hanging on . ”
this research was approved by the university of otago animal ethics committee ( aec 32 / 03 ) and complies with the current laws of new zealand . entry and research permits required for the work on the endangered yellow - eyed penguin were issued by the department of conservation .
they nest in dense vegetation in dunes and coastal forest , with nests typically being isolated from each other . at sea , yellow - eyed penguins forage in pairs or alone .
commercial wildlife tourism takes place on both private land and on doc - administered reserves . unregulated visitor access is facilitated with signage and viewing hides . there is regulated seasonal tourist presence at yellow - eyed penguin landing and nesting areas on enderby island , in the auckland island group .
they have been listed under the endangered section by iucn red list . various conservational programs have been initiated to protect the species by the yellow - eyed penguin trust apart from recovery plans . it has also stressed to keep dogs out of their breeding sites to ensure complete protection .
size : it is quiet a large penguin , having a length of between 27 and 30 inches .
an endangered african penguin brays with its mouth open , showing off the bristly inside of its mouth .
an emperor penguin loses its old feathers ( the fluffy ones ) as new ones grow in underneath .
new zealand’s iconic yellow - eyed penguins – displayed on billboards greeting people arriving at the country’s main airports – could become extinct from the mainland in 25 years , scientists have warned .
yellow - eyed penguins spend most of their day at sea , feeding in the warm new zealand waters . amazing underwater swimmers , they can dive to depths of 400 feet and are adapted to holding their breath for up to four minutes . yellow - eyed penguins may travel up to 20 miles from shore to feeding grounds at the edge of the continental shelf .
introduced predators such as cats , stoat and ferrets have impacted yellow - eyed penguin populations . habitat degradation , avian malaria , food shortages due to sea temperature changes , human disturbances , drowning in fishing nets , and accidental fires are all threats to yellow - eyed penguins . all 18 penguin species are legally protected from hunting and egg collecting . the antarctic treaty of 1959 makes it illegal to harm , or in any way interfere with , a penguin or its eggs . every penguin specimen collected with a permit must be approved by and reported to the scientific committee for antarctic research ( scar ) . penguins are vulnerable to habitat destruction , overfishing of primary food sources , ecological disasters such as oil spills , pollution such as trash in the ocean , and human encroachment into nesting areas .
on 19 february 2013 , we undertook a one - day cruise on the university of otago research vessel polaris ii to the foraging grounds of yellow - eyed penguins from the otago peninsula . two offshore stations were chosen that coincided with lines determined from penguin foraging tracks ( figure 1d ) .
the yellow - eyed penguin is a tall , heavy penguin with a distinctive pale yellow uncrested band of feathers passing across the nape and around the eyes . the forecrown , chin and cheeks are black flecked with yellow , the sides of the head and the foreneck are a light fawn - brown , and the back and tail are slate blue . the chest , belly , front thighs , and the underside of the flippers , are white . the red - brown and pale cream bill is long and relatively slender . the eyes are yellow , and the feet pink dorsally and black - brown ventrally . juveniles lack the pale yellow band and have a paler eye and paler back of the head . sexes look alike ; males are larger than females .
the department of conservation was alerted to the penguin by members of the public at the end of may .
a few weeks ago we brought you the story of new zealand ' s first penguin underpass in oamaru .
is endangered according to the iucn red list and is threatened according to the united states federal list . the main cause contributing to the status of yellow - eyed penguins is deforestation on the coast of new zealand . there are various conservation efforts , including penguin reserves , such as penguin place in dunedin , new zealand . these reserves allow visitors to view the penguins for a fee , which helps conserve
the present - day distribution of yellow - eyed penguin breeding sites corresponds to the pre - european distribution of cool coastal hardwood forest . currently , breeding occurs in mature coastal forest , regenerating coastal scrub , but also in pasture , windbreaks of planted exotic trees , and on relatively exposed cliffs .
endemic to new zealand , yellow - eyed penguins breed on the east and south coast of the south island , on and around stewart island , the auckland islands , and campbell islands .
has a diet that consists mostly of small prey , either juveniles or species whose adults are small . yellow - eyed penguins are carnivores . their diet is mainly composed of fishes including opalfish
yellow - eyed penguins can be seen at nugget point and curio bay . there are several wildlife guides in the catlins who are doc concessionaires and who can take visitors to see them .
in the 1940s those waters , including the incredibly fun to pronounce kumo kumo whero bay , warmed enough that , based on current understanding of the penguin - ocean temperature relationship , the region’s yellow - eyed penguin populations should have declined . thanks to the fastidious record keeping of one lancelot eric richdale , a school teacher and amateur ornithologist , we know that wasn’t the case . instead , their populations boomed .
moore pj , wakelin md , douglas me , mckinlay b , nelson d et al . ( 1995 ) yellow - eyed penguin foraging study , south - eastern new zealand , 1991 - 1993 . science & research series . wellington , nz : department of conservation . 40 p . available : .
yellow - eyed penguins have a very long chick - rearing period ( 100 days ) . consequently , breeding takes from september to february . moult occurs at the end of the breeding period .
the fact that yellow - eyed penguins aren’t faring so well bodes poorly for other animals in the region , according to dr . michelle larue , a research ecologist at the university of minnesota .
animations of foraging trips of two yellow - eyed penguins exhibiting straight line foraging in december 2004 ( bird id 14688 , line “d” ) and 2012 ( bird id 17935 , line “c” ) .
moore pj ( 1994 ) . what is a bad season for yellow - eyed penguins ? conservation advisory science notes wellington , nz . : department of conservation . 7 p . available : .
“when including adult survival rates from 2015 into the models the mean projection predicts yellow - eyed penguins to be locally extinct in the next 25 years , ” dr . stefan meyer , a co - author on the study , said in a statement . though their populations on new zealand’s otago peninsula is already dwindling pretty rapidly , about 60 percent of the yellow eyed penguin population lives on the sub - antarctic auckland and campbell islands . however , not much scientific research has been dedicated to these birds .
it was taken from a beach near the nuggets in the catlins to the penguin place rehabilitation facility near dunedin .
the sick penguin after it was found near death in may , near kaka point . photos : samuel white .
lays two eggs in her nest in the forest which are incubated by both parents for up to a couple of months , when only one of the eggs will usually hatch . the yellow - eyed
indeed , our findings on the seafloor at the location of line “c” indicate that man - made cues prone to erosion over time provide yellow - eyed penguins the means for accurate way - finding .
mattern also notes that if climate change were the only threat to penguin populations , the birds would probably be able to adapt and survive . in 1943 , the waters of kumo kumo whero bay warmed so much that the yellow - eyed penguin population should have declined—but it did not . mattern suspects that the birds’ ability to thrive under these conditions can be attributed to the fact that many new zealanders were overseas fighting in wwii .
enderby island is the insurance policy for the yellow - eyed penguin . while there ' s small pockets on the new zealand mainland , it ' s thought roughly 1000 , or half of those currently known to be in existence , are on this tiny island , making the most of its pest - free status .
king s , harper g , wright j , mcinnes j , van der lubbe j et al . ( 2012 ) site - specific reproductive failure and decline of a population of the endangered yellow - eyed penguin : a case for foraging habitat quality . marine ecology progress series 467 : 233 - 244 . doi :
newshub have just published an interesting article about the yellow - eyed penguins on enderby island . this footage was filmed while newshub reporter thomas mead was recently aboard our ship the ' spirit of enderby . '
. yellow - eyed penguins do not have any anti - predator mechanisms against terrestrial mammals because they are a relatively new predator , although their conservation status does help serve as an anti - predator mechanism .
if things continue on their current trajectory , new zealand’s yellow - eyed penguin may go locally extinct by 2043 , according to a study released today in the journal peerj . breeding penguins declined by 76 percent between 1996 and 2015 . and while climate change is a factor , it’s unclear if it’s the most important one .
you see how tourism and penguin conservation work together in elm wildlife tours exclusive ( private ) wildlife reserve .
april 25 of each year is world penguin day , and to celebrate here are 14 facts about these charismatic seabirds .
seddon , p . j . ; ellenberg , u . ; van heezik , y . 2012 . yellow - eyed penguin . in biology and conservation of the world’s penguins ( eds garcía borboroglu , p . g . ; boersma , p . d . ) university of washington press , seattle u . s . a .
the loss of coastal forest has played a part in the decline of the yellow - eyed penguin on the nz mainland , but the biggest threat to the survival of the species is introduced mammalian predators . wild cats , ferrets and stoats often kill chicks and take eggs . adult penguins all too often fall victim to dogs .
in treatment with site fixed effects and with an instrumental variable based on site accessibility . of the three treatments analyzed , only intensive management is significantly correlated with increases in sitelevel penguin population growth rate . we estimate the marginal cost of providing yellow - eyed penguins through intensive management to be nz $ 68 , 600 per nest .
mattern t , ellenberg u , houston dm , davis ls ( 2007 ) consistent foraging routes and benthic foraging behaviour in yellow - eyed penguins . marine ecology progress series 343 : 295 - 306 . doi :
data on these other threats is currently limited , but researchers believe the fishing industry may play a significant role . gill nets used by fishermen are known to ensnare yellow - eyed penguins , which get entangled in the near - invisible nets and drown . a 2000 study that looked at autopsy data of 185 yellow - eyed penguins that died around south island found that more than 70 deaths were linked to gill net entanglement .
the penguins are estimated to contribute about $ 70 million ( or 100 million new zealand dollars ) to the local economy every year through tourism . “at every airport in the country , you’ll find the yellow - eyed penguin on huge billboards , ” said mattern , a researcher at the university of otago . “it’s a huge draw . ”
university of otago zoologist dr thomas mattern said the study used forecast climate change models to predict the impact on penguin populations .
a team of penguin researchers are stationed on enderby island in the new zealand sub - antarctic for four months over summer , arduously counting the yellow - eyeds one - by - one for the first complete population count since 1990 .
the studies further suggest that yellow - eyed penguins only settled on mainland new zealand about 500 years ago , taking over the ecological niche left behind by their extinct predecessor . the present breeding range does not expand into the range of the northern population of m . waitaha . it is noted that a few mainland prehistoric bones were attributed to m . antipodes , yet the author attributed these to vagrant non - breeding birds ( a small breeding population can however not be ruled out ) . hence , present day yellow - eyed penguin populations on south island probably represent an unusual example of human intervention leading to expansion of the range of a species ( albeit at the expense of another ) . the yellow - eyed penguin may not have suffered the same fate as its extinct relative for several reasons : ( i ) sustainability of resources became more entrained in maori culture , ( ii ) decimation of sea lion populations following human settlement may have facilitated the establishment of yellow - eyed penguins , and ( iii ) coastal settlements appear to have dwindled in the 16th century based on archaeological records , reducing human exploitation of coastal birds .
a tall , portly penguin with a pale yellow band of feathers that runs from each yellow eye around the nape , a long straight red - brown and pale cream bill , and pink and black feet . the rest of the head , neck and dorsal surface is slate blue ; the breast and belly white down to the feet .
yellow - eyed penguins inhabit island shorelines in new zealand . most of the shore is covered in coastal forest , where the penguins live and nest . these birds are primarily terrestrial and only enter the water to hunt .
a joint project between the yellow - eyed penguin trust and the department of conservation , the commemorative planting of a rata tree and two hebe plants on the coastal cliffs marked the designation of the new reserve , which will include about 12km of coastline . the small ceremony was one of ms chadwick ' s first public appearances as the conservation minister .
ms young said the penguin was close to death when found . it was severely underweight at 3kg , dehydrated and still moulting .
during sea week in march , the yellow - eyed penguin trust staff and volunteers got involved in our seas our future’s beach clean - up . we focused on the area around smaills beach and were shocked at the amount of rubbish dumped just off the road side into the bushes . after sea week we raised the issue with dunedin . . . continue
yellow - eyed penguins have the most variable incubation period of any penguins , with eggs taking anywhere from 39 to 51 days to hatch . with the exception of emperor penguins , whose incubation period is two months , penguin eggs hatch in just over one month and , within any given species , this seldom varies by more than a day or two .
yellow - eyed penguins breed on the southeast coast of the south island , on stewart island and adjacent islands , and in the subantarctic on the auckland and campbell islands . on the mainland , yellow - eyed penguins breed in four distinct breeding regions : the catlins , otago peninsula , north otago and banks peninsula . the few pairs on banks peninsula usually breed with little success , and recruitment appears to come from more successful breeding areas further south . on stewart island , yellow - eyed penguins breed along the northeastern and eastern shores , and on several offshore islands . vagrants have reached the north island as far north as the bay of plenty , chatham islands and snares islands .
once found , the team will tag the penguins and monitor their nests , keeping an eye on feeding and breeding . that means long walks . while most penguin species nest in massive colonies , yellow - eyeds spread out and nest alone .
of the three clusters , the yellow - eyed penguins on the mainland are under the greatest threat of extinction , mattern said . “if you look at the penguin species around the world , the ones really under threat are the ones that live and breed close to human settlements . the closer they are to humans , the greater they are in peril . ”
there is no evidence that commercial or recreational fisheries directly reduce prey availability to yellow - eyed penguins , however they do occur as by - catch in inshore set nets . there can be marked inter - annual variation in food supply for yellow - eyed penguins , with intermittent poor food years being marked by reduced numbers of breeding attempts , slow chick growth , higher pre - fledging chick mortality , low chick fledging weights and lower survival of juveniles and adults .