See Pesto the viral baby penguin grow up as he sheds brown feathers in new photos
Pesto is growing up!
After reaching
stardom
in September, the
king penguin chick
is beginning to shed his brown feathers in exchange for new waterproof ones as he transitions into adulthood.
Pesto, who lives at the Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium in Australia, is nearing the final stages of his first molt. It’s a crucial phase in a king penguin’s life because it signifies the start of independence as they prepare to leave the colony, according to the aquarium.
King penguin chicks experience their first molt around 10 months old and the process can last up to six weeks, per the aquarium. Since molting requires baby chicks to use a lot of energy, the animals often lose weight as they form their new, sleek feathers.
“As Pesto sheds his juvenile feathers and develops his ...