African Penguin

Jackass Penguin (Spheniscus demersus)

The African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus ) belongs to the same genus within the family of penguins ( Spheniscidae ). They are the only still living in the wild penguins in Africa.

Appearance

The birds are 60 to 70 cm tall, 2.5 and 3 kg and reach an age of up to 20 years. The Penguins have a striking black and white coloration. From black bill goes to the eyes and around a pink spot that gave them the German name. Forehead, crown, chin and cheeks are like the back black. The belly is white, but a narrow black band is U-shaped over the chest and the sides of the body.

Way of life

The penguins breed in coastal colonies and lay their eggs in shallow depressions that they ausscharren, or they lay their eggs in caves, they pad out with pieces of wood and feathers. A clutch consists of two eggs. At three months, the boys transform it from her dress down to the age dress.

Dissemination

Approximately 72,000 wild penguins live on the West African coast and on the islands of Angola on the Penguin Islands Namibia to the South African east coast in Natal. Penguins are the only living in the wild penguins in Africa. Its stock has fallen sharply in the last century and is threatened primarily by the busy tanker route from the coast, and because of oil spills. The IUCN leads them as " endangered". In all countries, penguins are under strict environmental protection. In addition, there are numerous populations in zoos, their conservation is coordinated at an international breeding program.

At Boulder 's Beach in Simon 's Town on the False Bay there is a way of webs accessible colony of African penguins, which is used to people.

Food

An African penguin eats mainly schooling fish, but also hunts crustaceans such as crabs.

Albino variant (very rare)

Juveniles dry her dress down

Colony at Boulders

Skeleton in the Museum of Osteology, Oklahoma City