Animals Unique | African Penguin Bird | African Penguin Classification and Evolution
The African Penguin is a small to medium sized species of Penguin That is found along the coast of South Africa and on a number of it's surrounding islands. The African Penguin is thought to be most closely related to the Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins found in southern South America, and the Galapagos Penguin found in the Pacific Ocean near the Equator. The African Penguin was named for the fact That it is the only species of Penguin That is found breeding on the African Coast, and it is believed to be one of the first Penguin species to be Discovered by Humans.
African Penguin Anatomy and Appearance
The African Penguin is a fairly distinctive species of penguin with clean black and white markings and a sharply pointed black beak. The African Penguin also has black feet and a number of dot-like markings across it's white flecked chest the which are said to be as unique to the individual Penguin as a human finger print is, along with a narrow black band. The male African Penguin is slightly larger than Generally Their female counterparts but both are fairly similar in appearance.One of the African Penguin's most distinctive features is that? They have pink glands above the which Their Eyes help them to cope with the temperate climates. The hotter the African Penguin gets, the more blood is sent to these glands so it may be cooled by the surrounding water, the which in turn, makes these glands more pink.
The African Penguin is a small to medium sized species of Penguin That is found along the coast of South Africa and on a number of it's surrounding islands. The African Penguin is thought to be most closely related to the Humboldt and Magellanic Penguins found in southern South America, and the Galapagos Penguin found in the Pacific Ocean near the Equator. The African Penguin was named for the fact That it is the only species of Penguin That is found breeding on the African Coast, and it is believed to be one of the first Penguin species to be Discovered by Humans.
African Penguin Anatomy and Appearance
The African Penguin is a fairly distinctive species of penguin with clean black and white markings and a sharply pointed black beak. The African Penguin also has black feet and a number of dot-like markings across it's white flecked chest the which are said to be as unique to the individual Penguin as a human finger print is, along with a narrow black band. The male African Penguin is slightly larger than Generally Their female counterparts but both are fairly similar in appearance.One of the African Penguin's most distinctive features is that? They have pink glands above the which Their Eyes help them to cope with the temperate climates. The hotter the African Penguin gets, the more blood is sent to these glands so it may be cooled by the surrounding water, the which in turn, makes these glands more pink.
African Penguin Distribution and Habitat
The African Penguin is found on the south-western coast of Africa, living in Brussels on 24 islands 27 Between Namibia and Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with the largest colony on Dyer Island found, near Kleinbaai. African Penguins are most densely distributed around the cold, nutrient rich waters of the Benguela Current where there is a plentiful supply of food. Although They spend much of Their time at sea, African Penguins gather in nesting sites on rocky islands where They spend days in Sheltered Their Burrows to avoid the hot sun.They are one of the only penguin species to be found in non-freezing conditions and cope with this by Burrowing, emerging at dusk and dawn, and using the pink glands above Their Eyes to cool the blood down.
African Penguin Behaviour and Lifestyle
Like many other species of penguins, African Penguins are incredibly Sociable birds, with adults forming pair bonds That last for life (as long as 10 years). Often African Penguins can be seen grooming one another, the which is not only practical for cleaning purposes, but also for removing parasites and even just rearranging feathers, constantly strengthening the social bond Between the pair.Their courtship displays are Often very noisy as the male and female call to each other Penguin using a series of donkey-like sounds. African Penguins are also known to submit to a spot of bathing only a few meters from the shore, the which They are thought to do quite regularly to both clean and to cool down in the heat Themselves.
The African Penguin is found on the south-western coast of Africa, living in Brussels on 24 islands 27 Between Namibia and Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with the largest colony on Dyer Island found, near Kleinbaai. African Penguins are most densely distributed around the cold, nutrient rich waters of the Benguela Current where there is a plentiful supply of food. Although They spend much of Their time at sea, African Penguins gather in nesting sites on rocky islands where They spend days in Sheltered Their Burrows to avoid the hot sun.They are one of the only penguin species to be found in non-freezing conditions and cope with this by Burrowing, emerging at dusk and dawn, and using the pink glands above Their Eyes to cool the blood down.
African Penguin Behaviour and Lifestyle
Like many other species of penguins, African Penguins are incredibly Sociable birds, with adults forming pair bonds That last for life (as long as 10 years). Often African Penguins can be seen grooming one another, the which is not only practical for cleaning purposes, but also for removing parasites and even just rearranging feathers, constantly strengthening the social bond Between the pair.Their courtship displays are Often very noisy as the male and female call to each other Penguin using a series of donkey-like sounds. African Penguins are also known to submit to a spot of bathing only a few meters from the shore, the which They are thought to do quite regularly to both clean and to cool down in the heat Themselves.
African Penguin Reproduction and Life Cycles
African Penguins begin to breed at the average age of four, when a male and female will pair up, and growing niche to breed together for the rest of Their lives.The African Penguin female either digs herself a Burrow or finds a dip Beneath a rock or bush, in the which she lays two eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for up to 40 days, when only one of the eggs will usually hatch. The African Penguin chicks are fed and kept warm by Their parents constantly until They are a month old when They begin to be left on Their Own, forming creches with other chicks for protection from predators. They Their growing niche to REMAIN with parents until They are Between 3 and 5 months old, when They Will leave the colony (though this is dependent on the supply and quality of food in the area). The chicks return to the colony after a couple of years to moult into their adult plumage.Generally African Penguins live for Between 10 and 15 years.
African Penguin Diet and Prey
The African Penguin is a Carnivorous animal that, like all other penguin species, survives on a diet comprised That is only of marine organisms. Including Shoaling fish anchovies, Sardines, Mackerel and Horse Round Herrings make up the bulk of the African Penguin's diet, along with the occasional squid or crustacean normal when food is in short supply. The streamlined body of the African Penguin allows it to move through the water like a rocket, capable of reaching a top speed of around 20 kph when hunting for food. Their African Penguins catch prey by diving into the ocean depths for around 2 minutes at a time. Although They normally go to depths of around 30 meters, it is not uncommon for them to be found hunting more than 100 meters Beneath the water's surface.
African Penguins begin to breed at the average age of four, when a male and female will pair up, and growing niche to breed together for the rest of Their lives.The African Penguin female either digs herself a Burrow or finds a dip Beneath a rock or bush, in the which she lays two eggs. The eggs are incubated by both parents for up to 40 days, when only one of the eggs will usually hatch. The African Penguin chicks are fed and kept warm by Their parents constantly until They are a month old when They begin to be left on Their Own, forming creches with other chicks for protection from predators. They Their growing niche to REMAIN with parents until They are Between 3 and 5 months old, when They Will leave the colony (though this is dependent on the supply and quality of food in the area). The chicks return to the colony after a couple of years to moult into their adult plumage.Generally African Penguins live for Between 10 and 15 years.
African Penguin Diet and Prey
The African Penguin is a Carnivorous animal that, like all other penguin species, survives on a diet comprised That is only of marine organisms. Including Shoaling fish anchovies, Sardines, Mackerel and Horse Round Herrings make up the bulk of the African Penguin's diet, along with the occasional squid or crustacean normal when food is in short supply. The streamlined body of the African Penguin allows it to move through the water like a rocket, capable of reaching a top speed of around 20 kph when hunting for food. Their African Penguins catch prey by diving into the ocean depths for around 2 minutes at a time. Although They normally go to depths of around 30 meters, it is not uncommon for them to be found hunting more than 100 meters Beneath the water's surface.
African Penguins Predators and Threats
The African Penguin That's smaller size means it has many predators both in the water and also on dry land. Their predators are primarily marine and Cape Fur Seals Sharks, but the biggest threat to them on land is not just to the adult Penguins, but the more vulnerable eggs and chicks. Kelp Gulls and Ibises Scared prey on them from the water and mongooses, Snakes, and Leopards have been observed hunting them on the ground. The African Penguin has also been severely affected by human activity in their native regions, with Populations thought to have taken a drastic decline, Mainly due to the exploitation of Their eggs for food when They were first Discovered. They are also severely affected by the Disruption of Their natural habitats.
African Penguin Interesting Facts and Features
Penguins have more feathers than any other bird, the which act as a waterproof layer Their keeping skin dry. African Penguins moult once a year the which They do back in their Colonies. The whole process Lasts for about 20 days, in the which time, the African Penguins can not swim or eat, and can lose almost half of Their body weight. African Penguins are known to spend long periods of time fishing out at sea, and depending on the area, can travel Between 30 and 110 miles in one trip. However, Those WHO African Penguins have chicks to feed, will rarely go That far, catching food closer to the shore, and as Quickly as possible.The African Penguin is also known as the Jackass penguin, due to the donkey-like call That They Make Their courtship during rituals.
The African Penguin That's smaller size means it has many predators both in the water and also on dry land. Their predators are primarily marine and Cape Fur Seals Sharks, but the biggest threat to them on land is not just to the adult Penguins, but the more vulnerable eggs and chicks. Kelp Gulls and Ibises Scared prey on them from the water and mongooses, Snakes, and Leopards have been observed hunting them on the ground. The African Penguin has also been severely affected by human activity in their native regions, with Populations thought to have taken a drastic decline, Mainly due to the exploitation of Their eggs for food when They were first Discovered. They are also severely affected by the Disruption of Their natural habitats.
African Penguin Interesting Facts and Features
Penguins have more feathers than any other bird, the which act as a waterproof layer Their keeping skin dry. African Penguins moult once a year the which They do back in their Colonies. The whole process Lasts for about 20 days, in the which time, the African Penguins can not swim or eat, and can lose almost half of Their body weight. African Penguins are known to spend long periods of time fishing out at sea, and depending on the area, can travel Between 30 and 110 miles in one trip. However, Those WHO African Penguins have chicks to feed, will rarely go That far, catching food closer to the shore, and as Quickly as possible.The African Penguin is also known as the Jackass penguin, due to the donkey-like call That They Make Their courtship during rituals.
African Penguin Relationship with Humans
It is Widely believed That African Penguins were one of the first Penguin species to come into contact with Humans, due to the fact That They are found on the temperate South African coast rather than in the heart of Antarctica. This however, does not seem to have worked to the bird's advantage as Their eggs were stolen for food (slowing the rate of reproduction), and the guano used in nest building was harvested for fertilizer. Today, other threats face the African Penguin Including competition for food from commercial fishing and oil pollution in the water. Only a small handful of nesting sites can be accessed by tourists, but the Penguin's nervous nature of these areas That means people have to be Strictly monitored.
African Penguin Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the African Penguin is Considered to be a vulnerable animal and has been listed as Endangered by the IUCN being. It is thought That today's African penguin population of around 70.000 breeding pairs, is less than 10% of the population That existed in 1900. By the 1950s, the African Penguin population had halved, and it had then halved again by 1980. There is an approximate 2% decline in the African Penguin population every year, Mainly due to the Human consumption of Their eggs, competition for food and habitat Disruption.
African Penguin Bird Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae
Genus: Spheniscus
Scientific Name: Spheniscus demersus
Common Name: African Penguin
Other Name (s): Jackass Penguin
Group: Bird
Number Of Species: 1
Location: south-west African coast
Habitat: Rocky Ocean Islands
Colour: Black, White, Grey
Skin Type: Feathers
Size (H): 60cm - 68cm (24in - 27in)
Weight: 2kg - 5kg (4.4lbs - 11lbs)
Top Speed: 20kph (12.4mph)
Diet: Carnivore
Prey: Fish, squid, crustaceans
Predators: Sharks, Fur Seals, Gulls
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: Colony
Water Type: Salt
Life Span: 10-15 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 3-4 years
Incubation Period: 40 days
Average Clutch Size: 2
Name Of Young: Chick
Age Of fledging: 3-5 months
Conservation Status: Endangered
Estimated Population Size: 140.000
Biggest Threat: Habitat Disruption
Most Distinctive Feature: Pink glands above Their Eyes
Fun Fact: The only penguin species in Africa!
It is Widely believed That African Penguins were one of the first Penguin species to come into contact with Humans, due to the fact That They are found on the temperate South African coast rather than in the heart of Antarctica. This however, does not seem to have worked to the bird's advantage as Their eggs were stolen for food (slowing the rate of reproduction), and the guano used in nest building was harvested for fertilizer. Today, other threats face the African Penguin Including competition for food from commercial fishing and oil pollution in the water. Only a small handful of nesting sites can be accessed by tourists, but the Penguin's nervous nature of these areas That means people have to be Strictly monitored.
African Penguin Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the African Penguin is Considered to be a vulnerable animal and has been listed as Endangered by the IUCN being. It is thought That today's African penguin population of around 70.000 breeding pairs, is less than 10% of the population That existed in 1900. By the 1950s, the African Penguin population had halved, and it had then halved again by 1980. There is an approximate 2% decline in the African Penguin population every year, Mainly due to the Human consumption of Their eggs, competition for food and habitat Disruption.
African Penguin Bird Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae
Genus: Spheniscus
Scientific Name: Spheniscus demersus
Common Name: African Penguin
Other Name (s): Jackass Penguin
Group: Bird
Number Of Species: 1
Location: south-west African coast
Habitat: Rocky Ocean Islands
Colour: Black, White, Grey
Skin Type: Feathers
Size (H): 60cm - 68cm (24in - 27in)
Weight: 2kg - 5kg (4.4lbs - 11lbs)
Top Speed: 20kph (12.4mph)
Diet: Carnivore
Prey: Fish, squid, crustaceans
Predators: Sharks, Fur Seals, Gulls
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: Colony
Water Type: Salt
Life Span: 10-15 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 3-4 years
Incubation Period: 40 days
Average Clutch Size: 2
Name Of Young: Chick
Age Of fledging: 3-5 months
Conservation Status: Endangered
Estimated Population Size: 140.000
Biggest Threat: Habitat Disruption
Most Distinctive Feature: Pink glands above Their Eyes
Fun Fact: The only penguin species in Africa!
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