Dubbed a “fatty” and an “absolute unit,” this baby penguin at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium has won the hearts of people worldwide
Born in January weighing only 200g, the nine-month-old king penguin now tips the scales at a staggering 21kg, surpassing the combined weight of both his proud parents, Tango and Hudson.
But Pesto’s weight isn’t the only thing increasing; his TikTok following has skyrocketed as well, with visitors’ videos racking up millions of views in recent weeks and attracting travelers from around the world.
He even inspires the Ether chain meme coin PESTO (Pesto The Baby King Penguin), which boasts a market capitalization exceeding $1.7 million. Now that’s what you call influence.
His fame has also sparked a wave of memes featuring his adorable antics, further cementing his status as a beloved internet sensation.
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@klaudiajuliusPesto WHAT DID YOU DO HOMIE!?😭♬ original sound – thesocialsmanager
According to Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium, Pesto is the heaviest chick the facility has ever had.
Pesto’s impressive size comes from his “hearty appetite” and “good” genes. Blake, his biological father, is the largest and oldest penguin at the aquarium, giving Pesto an edge in the genetics department. Appetite-wise, he consumes 25 to 32 fish daily, which is about twice the amount typically eaten by adult king penguins.
Just how big is he compared to other king penguins? King penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus) are the second largest penguins in the world. Although males are usually a bit larger than females, their average size is still significantly smaller than Pesto’s, standing at around 90cm tall and weighing between 11 and 16kg.
In the case of king penguin chicks, gaining weight and developing fluffy brown feathers are essential for withstanding Arctic temperatures, as they are not yet waterproof. At around 10 to 12 months, they undergo a process known as molting, shedding their fluffy brown down for sleek black, white, and orange feathers.
As Pesto moves closer to adulthood, he begins losing some of his baby feathers. The aquarium says he is likely to slim down to around 33 pounds once he develops his adult coat.
Even though Pesto eventually sheds some of his impressive bulk, his charm and charisma are sure to endure. This lovable penguin captivates the hearts of millions around the globe and becomes a symbol of joy and connection among animal lovers everywhere.
As he waddles into this new chapter of his life, fans eagerly anticipate each milestone, knowing that Pesto continues to inspire laughter and wonder long after his baby feathers are gone.