Kekeno
NZ Fur Seal
(Arctocephalus forsteri)
Kekeno are the most common seal found in New Zealand. They are identifiable from other seals by their external ear flaps and hind flippers which rotate forward.
Follow along to learn more about kekeno below.
Besides for Kekeno, sea lions are the only other seal in NZ with ears. They way to tell kekeno apart is by checking if they have long whiskers and a pointy nose. They have two layers of fur to keep them warm and often found the rocky shores of New Zealand's coastline. Males grow up to 2.5m and 150 kg, whereas females grow up to 1.5m and 50 kg in weight.
Kekeno
Facts!
General
ACTIVITIES, CRAFTS, GAMES AND QUIZZES
Throughout this page you'll find some fun activities and resources you can explore
at home with your whānau and friends.
Some of these resources have been put together with the help of our fantastic local organisations.
A huge thank you to those people who have helped put these together for us,
we appreciate your support!
Don't forget to share your activities with us, either tag us on social media
or email them to us at conservationkids@envirohub.co.nz
Little blues can hold their breath under water for 2minutes. The deepest recorded kororā dive in New Zealand is 35m, although they can dive as deep as 60m. They have 3 different diving styles - U-shaped, V-shaped and W-shaped. Click the image below to find out more about little blue penguin behaviour and ecosystem health.
Kekeno
Facts!
Diving
Crafts: Kororā Kinetics!
Racing Penguins!
Make your own little blue penguin at home, to race and test out what makes them speed up and what makes
them slow down.
Click ME to download
a FINGER PUPPET!
Click the image to
download the PDF!
Kekeno
Facts!
Adaptations
Kororā are the only blue penguins in the world and this helps them to camouflage above and below water. Their thick layer of feathers help them to keep warm, streamlined and waterproof. They secrete an oily liquid from their preen gland to help them waterproof their feathers. Kororā flippers act as paddles to help them swim and propel through water.
Source: Gettyimages
There are many threats to kororā, at all stages in their life (eggs, chicks, adults). Predators are the greatest threat to little blue penguins, some including dogs, cats, rats, stoats and hedgehogs. It is super important to keep dogs on a leash when walking along coastlines where kororā may be living!
Kekeno
Facts!
Threats
GAME - Penguin Pathways
What threats do human's have on kororā?
Try out the Penguin Pathways game created by NZ Marine Studies Centre. All you need to do is download the PDF below, which has step by step instructions. All you'll need is CHALK or MASKING TAPE, and a few of tamariki!
Tamariki pretend to be penguins moving along the coastline and experience the threats may encounter day to day.
Click the image to download the PDF sheet!
Kekeno
Facts!
Breeding
Nesting:
Between May- June, pairs return to their nests and spend time there.
Incubation:
Between July- December,
Usually lay a clutch of 2 eggs.
Chick rearing:
They take care of chicks
for ~ 8 weeks.
Fledge:
Chicks fledge at ~8 weeks.
By 10 weeks they have
left the nest.
ACTIVITY - Build a penguin nesting box
Find out if your local coastline area is home to kororā, and if those managing the area would like you to make penguin nesting boxes.
Kekeno
Facts!
Check out this neat video from Meet the Locals to see Kekeno in their natural habitat and what is unique about the species.
Other Kekeno Resources
Below you will find links to other Kororā resources, click the images to take you to the websites. Check them out!
LIVE penguin monitoring
A great way to monitor kororā yourself but without disturbing their nests is by watching live cams located in the boxes. Check this one out below:
Kaewa the Kororā
by Rachel Haydon
Department of Conservation
For more Little Blue Penguin information click the DOC image below.
Kekeno
Facts!
What YOU can do!
So... HOW CAN YOU HELP LITTLE BLUES? Glad you asked!
Firstly, help to reduce our plastic waste. Plastic can end up in our oceans and harm not only our kororā but other marine species.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Refuse and Rot where possible!
Keep an eye out for a beach cleanup near you and lend a helping hand.
Click on the Plastic Free July logo, to help you get on your plastic free journey!
Reduce plastic use!
What you can do in your backyard:
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Help out your local trapping community.
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Practice trapping in your backyard, by putting up some traps around your property.
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If you have a pet cat, think about keeping them indoors at night-time, and have a bell on the collar.
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If you have a pet dog, make sure when on walks you keep your dog on a leash, especially around the coastline where kororā might be living.
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Use dog parks or off leash areas to allow your dog to let off steam.
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Get involved in coastal planting projects that might help encourage kororā to the area.
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Remember to be a tidy Kiwi and take rubbish home.
What you can do when out and about:
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Go visit a Seal Colony!
Visit Kaipūpū Sanctuary
Kaipūpū Sanctuary is only ten minutes by water from Waitohi/Picton. On your visit, you may see fur seals, penguins, korimako, tūi, wētā and geckos (and many more). Rimu, miro, tōtara, ferns and many more varieties of plants feature. It is free to visit, but as a charity, your donations are welcome.
Click on the Kaipūpū logo alongside to go to their website and find out more.
