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Penguin Gift Shop - Shopping for Penguin Gifts, Toys & Apparel :: Black Footed Penguins
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| Black Footed Penguins |
Black Footed Penguins
Quick Facts
Average Height: 27 inches
Average Weight: 5-11 lbs
Location: Southwestern African Coast
Distinguishing Feature: black stripe and spots on chest
Fun & interesting fact: previously known as the Jackass Penguin
Scientific Name:Spheniscus demersus
Population Status: approximately 60,000 breeding pairs
Breeding Season: year-round, with peaks in November and March
Detailed Description
Black Footed Penguins, also known as African Penguins, are the only penguin species inhabiting the African continent. They typically live in colonies formed on the islands off the southwestern coast, but colonies of the bird have recently been discovered on the mainland.
Black Footed Penguins are monogamous, and breed year-round. They build nests for laying their eggs, and male and female will spend equal time minding the incubating eggs, switching off daily. The newborn chicks stay in the nests for about one month, until they've molted and grown feathers. The Black Footed Penguin has an average lifespan of 10-11 years.
Population numbers of the Black Footed Penguin suffered many blows in the twentieth century, including the unregulated harvesting of penguin eggs (which were at one time considered a delicacy), the competition with commercial fishing, and habitat pollution. Today, the Black Footed Penguin is considered a vulnerable species.
The spot of pink sometimes seen above a Black Footed Penguin's eye is more than just a fashion statement; it is a special gland that, when the penguin becomes too hot, fills with blood. The blood sent to the gland is then cooled by the surrounding air, thus cooling the penguin.
The Black Footed Penguin's diet includes more than 20 varieties of fish, along with certain crustaceans and squid. Yum!
For their donkey-like braying call, these birds were once known as “Jackass Penguins.” When penguins in South America were found to make similar barnyard sounds, this species became known by its two current names, the African or Black Footed Penguin. The change in name, so far, has not caused them to cease their mule-like calls.
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