Pesto, a massive, fuzzy baby penguin, waddles his way to internet fame – National

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Pesto, a massive, fuzzy baby penguin, waddles his way to internet fame – National

Move over, Moo Deng, there’s officially competition to be the internet’s favourite baby animal.

A huge, fuzzy king penguin named Pesto from the

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aquarium has melted the hearts of many on social media since becoming a viral sensation this month.

Though he is only nine months old, Pesto rose to fame large in part due to his towering size. According to the Sea Life Melbourne, Pesto weighs an impressive

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and devours 25 fish every day. By comparison, the average ****** king penguin typically weighs about

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.

With his wobbly gait, brown fuzzball body and his enormous stature, Pesto doesn’t have to fish for compliments. Since becoming an influencer, he’s earned millions of views online and attracted hordes of admirers to the aquarium.

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When it comes to Pesto, most people have one question on their minds: Why is he so big?

Sea Life Melbourne said it’s because Pesto likely hit the genetic lottery. In a section on the aquarium’s website entirely dedicated to the frequently asked question, the organization said Pesto’s size is “due to a number of factors.”

His biological father, Blake, is Sea Life Melbourne’s oldest and biggest penguin. Pesto’s adoptive parents, Hudson and Tango, have also done an “amazing job” raising him, according to the aquarium.

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“So, the combination of good genes and good parents explains his current weight,” wrote aquarium staff.

Though he is considered to be a healthy size, Pesto is likely to slim down after he fledges and loses his brown coat.

Pesto is the largest penguin chick caretakers at Sea Life Melbourne have ever seen.

His size has earned Pesto several endeared nicknames online, including “Chonk,” “Shaq” and “Big Bird.”

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From one icon to another—@katyperry come meet Pesto.

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