African Penguin

Meet the African Penguin

Animal’s Behavior

The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus) is one of 18 species of penguin found in the world. When you think of penguins, you may picture them surrounded by snow and ice. However, there is one species of penguins that is acclimated to warmer climates. African penguins live in colonies on the coast and islands of southern Africa. The most notable aspect of African Penguin behavior is the loud donkey-like braying noise emitted during the ecstatic display. African penguins breed in huge, noisy colonies. They lay two eggs in burrows, bowl-shaped depressions dug in the sand, which protect the eggs from the sun. Similar to other species of penguin, they tend to form tight pair bonds, and both parents incubate the eggs and feed the chicks for 2 to 4 months. The chicks are old enough to breed in 2 to 4 years.

Animal Facts

Audubon Aquarium is home to more than 20 African Penguins. No two penguins are exactly alike, but they are very similar. The keepers are able to tell them apart based on small differences in feather patterns and personalities. Guests can tell individual birds apart by looking at their wing bands. Females have red bands on their left wing, while males have blue bands on their right wing.

Range

Between Namibia and Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, with the largest colony on Dyer Island, near Kleinbaai

Size

23 - 25 inches tall; 5- 9 pounds

Animal Facts

Range

Size

Lives at Audubon Aquarium