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scientists are there?
    We have scientists who study all types of life including botanists, who study plants, and entomologists, who study insects.
    What does “bray” mean?
    It’s the sound that donkeys make. African penguins bray when they are protecting their territory. Penguins also bray to identify each other.
    What does “shazam” mean?
    It’s an expression people say when something surprises them.
    Does the hidden door lead out to African Hall?
    No, it leads out to another hall that leads to my office.
    The wall and ceiling are painted like the sky. Are the rocks real?
    The rocks are made by people to look like rocks found in Boulders Beach, South Africa. That’s one of the places African penguins live in the wild.
    Are penguins really birds?
    Yes. Birds are covered with feathers, have wings, and lay eggs. Penguins use their wings to swim. Sometimes their wings are called flippers.
    Can penguins fly?
    No. Penguins’ wings are not long enough to lift them up in the air.
    Can penguins eat while swimming?
    Yes! In the wild, African penguins catch and eat fish while in the ocean.
    Can penguins breathe under water?
    No, penguins have lungs (like people) so they must hold their breath while they swim under water.
    How many kinds of penguins are there?
    There are 17 species or different kinds of penguins.
    Do other aquatic biologists know about Pierre?
    Yes. I shared Pierre’s wetsuit pattern with other biologists. It is important to share information so we can learn from each other.
    Is it true that we can see the penguins online?
    Yes! Just go to www.calacademy.org/webcams/penguins . You’ll be able to see what our penguins are doing right now! You might even see me or another biologist feed them!

Jean Marzollo
    Jean Marzollo has written more than 100 children’s books, including the award-winning
I SPY
series. With a graduate degree from Harvard, she has taught school, written books about teaching and parenting, and was the editor of Scholastic’s
Let’s Find Out
kindergarten magazine for 20 years. Jean lives in upstate New York.
Laura Regan
    Laura Regan is nationally known for her award-winning children’s books that feature exotic flora and fauna. Her artwork has been used to raise funds for many wildlife organizations. She is the illustrator of
A is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet
. Laura lives in the Bay Area in California.