A giant penguin from Australia has become an internet star (PHOTO, VIDEO)

Born in late January weighing less than half a kilogramme, he was the only chick of this species to appear in an aquarium in the last two years. But what's most surprising is its rapid growth, Smithsonian magazine reported.

So far, Pesto weighs an impressive 23.5 kilograms, according to the aquarium. His rapid weight gain and growth has exceeded all expectations. The penguin has already outgrown his adoptive parents, Tango and Hudson, who each weigh about 11 kilograms. His biological father, Blake, weighs about 18 kilograms, but Pesto is ahead of him in size too.

Pesto's popularity soared after the aquarium organised a sex determination party for him. Since it is impossible to distinguish between male and female king penguins, the staff took a blood sample for analysis. Since then, Pesto has become a true social media star, attracting visitors from all over the country.

We've noticed a significant increase in interest in our aquarium," says senior keeper Mikaela Small. - People are not only coming to Melbourne for the sights, but also to see Pesto.

Pesto is known for his great appetite - he eats more than 25 fish a day. Right now he is still covered in fluffy brown down, but in the coming months he will begin to moult, acquiring the black-white-orange plumage characteristic of adult king penguins.

He will soon lose his cute baby down," explains Jacinta Earley, the aquarium's education programme manager. - In a month or two, he'll become slender and elegant.

Although Pesto may lose a little weight as he matures, he is expected to remain a "big guy." The typical weight of king penguins is between 14 and 17 kilograms at 85-95 centimetres tall. They are the second largest penguins after emperor penguins.

King penguins live on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands such as South Georgia and the Falkland Islands. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, they number between one and two million pairs, and their numbers continue to grow. The species is considered least threatened with extinction.