The birth of Pesto the Penguin took place among hatchlings at the SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, but within months, he became an internet sensation. Covered in a thick coat of chocolate-brown down and outweighing the adults in his colony, this king penguin chick left viewers around the world asking, “Is he real?” How can a baby penguin be that big?
Response can be found in Pesto’s distinctive concoctions of genealogy, good treatment, and the biological side of things. And in the story of how one oversized chick became a global wildlife ambassador.
From Hatchling to “Absolute Unit”
Pesto hatched on January 30, 2024, weighing just under 200 grams, which is about the size of a large chicken egg (NPR). Within nine months, he tipped the scales at 22.5 kilograms, making him the largest penguin chick in the aquarium’s history (Guardian Australia).
For context, adult king penguins average 12–16 kg. Pesto was not only heavier than his foster parents combined but also nearly as tall as a fully grown penguin, about 90 cm (Al Jazeera).
“Firstly, his biological dad, Blake, is our biggest and oldest penguin. Secondly, he’s had amazing parents raising him.” — SEA LIFE Melbourne statement
Why Was Pesto So Big?
Genetics
Pesto’s father, Blake, is the largest and oldest king penguin at SEA LIFE Melbourne, standing over a meter tall. That genetic blueprint set Pesto on a path for size from day one.
Diet and Care
Pesto ate like a champion, 25–32 fish a day at his peak chick phase (People). His foster parents, Tango and Hudson, fed him constantly, supported by keepers ensuring he never experienced the food shortages that wild chicks face in winter.
In the wild, king penguin chicks gain substantial fat reserves to survive months when their parents are away at sea. Pesto had the same instinct to bulk up, but with an uninterrupted food supply, his weight soared beyond what’s typical.
“Pesto has been receiving way more food than any chick in the wild could dream of, and of course, he did not experience the long winter fast.” — Dr. Barbara Wienecke, Australian Antarctic Division biologist (NatGeo)
The Fledgling Transformation
By October 2024, Pesto had entered the molting phase, shedding his fluffy brown coat for sleek, waterproof plumage. This process is energy-intensive, so he burned through much of his stored fat.
By his first birthday in January 2025, Pesto weighed around 14.6 kg, a normal healthy weight for a young male king penguin. His once-rotund figure had given way to the streamlined build of an elegant juvenile (Time Out Melbourne).
Life at the Aquarium
Pesto remains a star at SEA LIFE Melbourne, drawing visitors from around the globe. His daily routine includes:
- Swimming with colony mates in the Penguin Playground exhibit
- Enrichment activities like chasing a toy soccer ball or exploring bubble machines
- Social bonding—keepers say he has a “flirtatious friendship” with a female penguin named Pudding (ABC News)
- Perching on his favorite “tall rock” to preen and, perhaps, pose for photos
Celebrity Visitors and Global Fame
Pesto’s fame spread to an estimated 1.9 billion people through social media (WCNC). His viral videos caught the attention of pop stars:
Katy Perry was in Australia for her concert tour in September 2024, and she paid a visit to Pesto.
Olivia Rodrigo made some TikToks with Pesto that were very popular and got hundreds of thousands of views.
These meetings, plus the international media coverage by BBC, Smithsonian, NPR, and National Geographic, made Pesto perhaps the most famous king penguin at present.
More than Just Cute: Conservation Impact
SEA LIFE Melbourne employs Pesto’s fame for teaching and, hence, indirectly signing people up for the cause of penguin biology and conservation. Keeper talks narrate how climate change can severely impact the food supply of penguins and how the chicks of wild penguins can only depend on healthy oceans to make it through the first winter.
Pesto’s upbringing is also a great example of perfect animal welfare being practiced in captivity:
- Using foster parenting to guarantee the chick survives
- Having a vet supervise and monitor the weight
- Enrichment activities were introduced to encourage the animals to exhibit natural behaviors
Final Thoughts
Pesto has gone through a remarkable transformation from a 200-gram hatchling to a 23-kg “chonky” chick, but his influence is not only based on size. People around the world have been curious about penguins, engaged in talks concerning conservation, and have seen in Pesto the result of first-class animal care.
Pesto is in very good health and will still be a little bit larger than the average King Penguin bird, as of August 2025. However, he is now just another member of the colony, though with a huge following of millions of penguin fans watching over him.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Where is Pesto now?
At SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium, he is part of the king penguin colony.
Why was he so big as a chick?
A combination of genetics from his large father, constant feeding from devoted foster parents, and the absence of winter food shortages.
Has he stayed that big?
No. After molting into adult feathers, his weight settled at ~15 kg, normal for a healthy young male king penguin.
What’s his personality like?
Curious, confident, and playful. He enjoys enrichment activities and social interaction.
Did celebrities meet him?
Yes. Katy Perry and Olivia Rodrigo both visited him at SEA LIFE Melbourne.
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