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| African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) |
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The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is
a medium-sized penguin, and the only penguin species breeding on the African
continent.
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The African penguin has a robust, heavyset body,
and this species is black on the back and white below, with variable black
markings on the breast and belly.
· Juvenile African penguins are slate blue on the
upper surface, gradually turning darker and developing the adult
black-and-white facial pattern in the second or third year.
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Penguins
have small muscles at the base of each feather that enable the feathers to be
held tightly against the body whilst in water, forming a waterproof layer;
alternatively, on land the feathers are held erect, trapping an insulating
layer of air around the body
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To protect its nest against the heat, the African penguin often nests in
burrows or in the shade of boulders or bushes.
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In
South Africa the breeding season is between March and May.
· Nests are situated in burrows or depressions under
boulders and bushes, where they will receive some protection from the potentially
harsh temperatures
· The clutch size of the African penguin is usually
two, and both adults take it in turns to incubate the eggs for a period of
about 40 days; penguins have a bare patch of skin on the lower abdomen (known
as the ‘brood patch’) which allows greater transfer of heat to the eggs.
· The African penguin feeds on fish such as anchovies
and sardines. The African penguin can reach speeds of 20 kilometres per hour in
the water and travel from 30 to 70 kilometres in a single trip; average dives
last for 2.5 minutes, reaching depths of 60 metres.
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Penguins have waterproof coats that need to be
constantly maintained by preening, when a waxy substance is distributed from
the base of the tail. Even with these measures, the plumage is replaced yearly,
and African penguins come ashore to moult over 20 days between November and
January in South Africa.
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The African penguin is classified as Endangered
(EN) on the IUCN Red List.
(Source: Arkive Organisation – African Penguin - http://www.arkive.org/african-penguin/spheniscus-demersus/)
