Predators: African penguins face predation by gulls, feral cats and mongoose while nesting on land, sharks and fur seals prey on African penguins in the water.
Are African penguins carnivores?
African penguins are marine carnivores and mainly eat small fish, krill, squid, and crustaceans. Their streamlined bodies make them very effective hunters, enabling them to reach a speed of 20kph when diving for prey. In the wild, the can dive more than 100m below the water’s surface.
What is a male African penguin called?
African penguins have a distinct, sharply pointed beak and black feet. The African penguin is one of the smallest penguin species. Males are generally slightly larger than their female counterparts. African penguins are also widely known as “jackass” penguins, for their donkey-like bray.
Are African penguins social animals?
Life Cycle/ Social Structure:
African penguins live in colonies. They start breeding from between two to six years of age, but normally at four years.
What is another name for African penguins?
African penguin, (Spheniscus demersus), also called black-footed penguin, Cape penguin, or jackass penguin, species of penguin (order Sphenisciformes) characterized by a single band of black feathers cutting across the breast and a circle of featherless skin that completely surrounds each eye.
How long can an African penguin hold its breath?
African penguins can swim up to 15 mph. That is very fast! They can also hold their breath for up to 4 minutes at a time.
Who eats African penguins?
Predators: African penguins face predation by gulls, feral cats and mongoose while nesting on land, sharks and fur seals prey on African penguins in the water.
How long does a African Penguin live?
LIFE CYCLE: This penguin’s average lifespan in the wild is 20 years. FEEDING: African penguins feed on pelagic schooling fish, particularly sardine and anchovy.
Why is it called a jackass penguin?
1) African Penguins Are Also Known as “Jackass” Penguins
This crude nickname refers to the loud, “braying” cry that African Penguins make to communicate, which sounds similar to a donkey.
How fast can an African penguin swim?
African penguins are very clumsy on land, waddling upright with flippers held away from the body as if they are drunk. They are, however, highly specialised for a life at sea and they are efficient swimmers that can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h, cruise at 4–7 km/h and dive down to 130 m.
How many African penguins are left?
There are 140,000 African Penguins left in the world.
Why are African penguins going extinct?
Populations of the endangered African penguin are declining in the wild due to a variety of threats, including oil spills and depleted prey populations as a result of overfishing.
Do penguins bark?
Probably penguin vocalizations are not as popular as cow mooing, dog barking or cat meowing. However, as social birds, penguins need to communicate in some way, and they do it through sounds and body expressions. … As we do, the way they communicate depends on the situation, the need and naturally, the species.
What is the color of an African penguin?
Appearance: The African penguin is a mid-sized penguin. Like other species in the Spheniscus genus, it is characterized by its black and white bands. Its back is mostly black, while its underbody is mostly white, but its head and neck show a combination of black and white with some pink patches.
What are baby penguins called?
Penguin babies, called “chicks,” are covered in fuzzy down feathers which help to keep them warm. They look quite furry – but this isn’t fur – it is feathers.
Do African penguins fly?
Penguins are flightless birds that virtually fly through the water. … Diving down to catch fish, African penguins can stay under water for as long as five minutes and can swim at an average rate of three to six mph (5-10 kph).