“This is Tóti. He’s 5 years old and I’m allowed to do this because I’ve known him my whole life,” a local guide explains to a group of visitors as he picks up a small and lively puffin and gently places it on top of a girl’s head. The bird is the star of Sæheimar Aquarium located in Vestmannaeyjar islands, home to Iceland’s largest puffin colony.
Read more:5 Things you need to know about Puffins
Tóti emerged from his egg just as the puffins were about to leave the island and head to sea. He was rescued by local children and because his feathers are not waterproof he remains in the care of Sæheimar Aquarium. He now serves as a special ambassador of Sæheimar and has become quite accustomed to the attention that comes with his celebrity status.
Puffins spend most of their lives out at sea but return to land to breed in late spring. Puffin chicks become fully fledged around 49 days old. It then leaves its burrow and does not return to land for several years.
Read more:10 reasons to visit the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago
The aquarium was founded it 1964 and features bird and fish specimens found in and around Iceland. Although small in size it is well worth a visit – if only to meet its star: Tóti the puffin.
The museum is open daily between 10am-5pm during summer and on Saturdays between 1-4pm in winter.
“This is Tóti. He’s 5 years old and I’m allowed to do this because I’ve known him my whole life,” a local guide explains to a group of visitors as he picks up a small and lively puffin and gently places it on top of a girl’s head. The bird is the star of Sæheimar Aquarium located in Vestmannaeyjar islands, home to Iceland’s largest puffin colony.
Read more:5 Things you need to know about Puffins
Tóti emerged from his egg just as the puffins were about to leave the island and head to sea. He was rescued by local children and because his feathers are not waterproof he remains in the care of Sæheimar Aquarium. He now serves as a special ambassador of Sæheimar and has become quite accustomed to the attention that comes with his celebrity status.
Puffins spend most of their lives out at sea but return to land to breed in late spring. Puffin chicks become fully fledged around 49 days old. It then leaves its burrow and does not return to land for several years.
Read more:10 reasons to visit the Vestmannaeyjar archipelago
The aquarium was founded it 1964 and features bird and fish specimens found in and around Iceland. Although small in size it is well worth a visit – if only to meet its star: Tóti the puffin.
The museum is open daily between 10am-5pm during summer and on Saturdays between 1-4pm in winter.
