Extension
Penguin
You have gathered some interesting information about
Penguin. Can you turn your data into a graph? Present
your data in different types of graphs.
Can you think of reasons the Penguin enclosure has
been built like it has? Think about;
Animal observation is an important part of science

Water and plants

The study of animal behaviour is called ethology

Hiding places

Scientists use ethograms to help with scientific research

Why are Little Blue Penguins threatened in the
wild?


What can people do to save Little Blue Penguins
from extinction?
An ethogram has a specific way of doing things so that the
results can be compared with other research of the same
animal

An ethogram is a list of all the possible behaviours an
animal might exhibit

Today we will undertake an ethogram with an animal of
your choice
Read on!
Scientists use research skills such as
observation to learn about animals.
In this learning experience you will be observing Little
Blue Penguin
Your name (name of observer)______________________
Date:
Time:
Species of study animal: Penguin
Does your Penguin have any special colours or shapes on
their feathers or any other features?
Sunny
O
Cloudy
O
Wet
O
Still
O
Hot
O
Warm
O
Cold
O
Windy
O
Every one minute (for 10 minutes) write down what you
see the Penguin doing.
Using a map of Adelaide Zoo go to the Penguin
enclosure near the Children’s Zoo.
Get started...
1 min
2
3
4
5

Choose one Penguin to watch.

Read the behaviour key (next page) and see what the
code letter is for possible Penguin behaviours.
6
Every 60 seconds (1minute) write down what you see
(observe) the Penguin doing at that moment.
8


Repeat 10 times (until 10 minutes have passed).
7
9
10
Code Behaviour
S
W
ST
P
V
A
C
G
R
X
- ETHOGRAM -
What is the weather like?
Swimming
Walking
Standing Still
Preening (cleaning feathers)
Vocalising (making a noise)
Alone
Contact with another
Group activity
Resting
Other