African Black-Footed Penguin
Scientific Name: Spheniscus demersus
Native to islands off the coast of southern Africa, these penguins are not cold-weather birds like their cousins in Antarctica. Instead, they have adapted to life in warm climates and are found living in large groups-called rookeries-along island beaches.
Growing to heights of 15-25 inches and weighing 6-9lbs, African Black-Footed Penguins are relatively stocky birds. They grow approximately 70 feathers for every square inch of their bodies, and this plumage serves to waterproof them and insulate them against the elements.
Fun Facts:
- Even though they are birds, penguins have dense bones and therefore cannot fly. Instead, they use their wings like flippers to propel through the water.
- African Black-Footed Penguins are nicknamed Jackass penguins due to the noisy, donkey-like braying sounds they make to communicate.
- As adults, these penguins "molt" once a year. (This means they lose all of their feathers at once and replace them with new ones.) During this molting process-which can last up to two weeks-African Black-Footed Penguins are unable to swim and must stay on shore until their new plumage is complete. They must also go without food during the molting process.
- Because of oil spills, egg-harvesting and over-fishing, African Black-Footed Penguins are listed as "threatened" on the Endangered Species List.
|
