African Black-Footed Penguin: Spheniscus demersus
In the Wild
Description:
 Size: 24-28 in (52-71 cm)
 Weight: 5-8 lbs
 Coloration:
o Black feathers on their back and white feathers with black markings on their
chest and belly
o Feet are set far back on their body and are mottled black and pink in color
o Juveniles are plain gray-black with a white belly
Habitat and Range:
 Found only along the rocky coastline of southwest Africa
o Breed at 25 islands and four mainland sites in Namibia and South Africa
 One of several penguin species that live in warmer climates
o Subtropical climate where there is cold water upwelling
o Range is restricted to a relatively small area where water temperature does not
fluctuate much
o All penguin species live south of the equator
Diet:
 Carnivorous
o Feed on small crustaceans, squid and small fish such as sardines and anchovies
o Will eat about one pound of fish in a day
 They absorb water and nutrients from their diet but have also adapted to drink salt
water
Adaptations:
 Excellent swimmers
o Can swim up to 12 miles or 20 km per hour
o Feet are set far back on their bodies, acting like rudders to help steer as they
swim
o Torpedo shaped body and rigid wings that serve as flippers propel penguins
through the water
o Can stay underwater for as long as 5 minutes when diving to catch fish
 Counter-shading for camouflage while swimming
o Their black back blends in with the ocean floor for predators that are swimming
above them and their white bellies blends in with the bright light of the sun for
predators swimming below them and looking up
 Avoid overheating during the warmer months
o Can dissipate heat through flippers, feet and open beak
 Penguin will stand so that their shadow falls over their feet – this cools
the blood running through their feet which is then circulated through
their entire body and cools them off, like a personal “air-conditioner”
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African Black-Footed Penguin: Spheniscus demersus
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o Swimming in cool-cold water
o Nesting in burrows or under rocks
Thick, waterproof, insulating mat of feathers traps air close to body and conserves heat
during the colder months and when swimming in the cold water
Three types of calls used
o Yell/contact call- used to defend territory from another colony member
o Bray/display call- used to attract mates
o Haw call- used to communicate between partners
Lifespan:
 Captivity: 15-30 years
 Wild: Unknown
Ecosystem relationships:
 Sharks, Cape fur seals and killer whales all prey on African Penguins
o Avian predators such as kelp gulls and sacred ibises prey on eggs and chicks
o Mainland colonies are also preyed on by leopards, mongoose, genet, and
domestic and feral cats and dogs
 African penguins are social birds that live in colonies called rookeries
o Live and hunt together in groups of 50-100 individuals
Reproduction:
 Form monogamous pairs, meaning they often have one mate for life
o Courtship rituals begin with visual and auditory display by the male
o Mutual bond is ensured by a harsh vocal call with the head and neck extended
upwards
o Finally one or both penguins will bow (duck their head with their bill pointing
towards the nest site or the other penguin’s feet)
 Breeding takes place throughout the year
 Females construct a nest out of guano on the rocky shore and lay 2 eggs per clutch
 Both males and females take turns incubating the eggs for about a month
 Both males and females are involved in parental care of chicks once they hatch
 Chicks form crèches (groups of chicks) that are guarded by adults
o Cooperative care allows individual sets of parents to go out to sea to feed
o Both parents responsible for feeding the chicks at this time
 Chicks fledge at anywhere from 60-130 days
Activity:
 Mostly diurnal
 They spend the night gathered on the shore and feed in the water during the day
Other “fun facts”:
 Significant source of guano
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African Black-Footed Penguin: Spheniscus demersus
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o Previously used as fertilizer which was sold around the world
o Guano is now a forbidden fertilizer
Penguins have solid bones unlike other bird species
Often referred to as “jackass” penguins due to their distinctive braying call
Conservation Status and Threats:
 IUCN Endangered
 Undergoing a very rapid population decline as a result of:
o Egg-collecting
o Habitat degradation caused by guano-collectors
o Over fishing by some commercial fisheries results in food loss
o High mortality from oil spills
o Disturbance by humans using the same beach space that penguins nest on
At the Zoo
Tux and Tails are sisters. They were born at the zoo in 2004. They weigh approximately 2.5 kgs
(6 pounds). Winnie was born in 2008 and weights 3.5 kgs.
What We Can Do
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Help with rehabilitation or donate to the clean-up of oil spills that effect penguin
colonies
o SANCCOB (The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal
Birds) is a non-profit organization that protects and rehabilitates seabirds,
including African penguins, affected by oil pollution
Support sustainable fisheries to help limit over-fishing, a factor in declining penguin
populations
o The Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program raises awareness and
helps consumers and businesses make choices for healthy oceans. Their
recommendations indicate which seafood items are "Best Choices," "Good
Alternatives" and which ones to"Avoid."
We can all help slow climate change, a factor in declining fish, and therefore penguin,
populations
o Reduce, reuse, recycle
 Reuse shopping bags
 Compost organic food for use in the garden
o Cut down on electricity and gas use to limit carbon dioxide emissions
 Try to use public transport, carpool, bike or walk
 Buy energy efficient light bulbs and turn off lights when leaving a room
 Turn off appliances when not in use
 Bundle up when it is cold instead of turning up the heat
References:
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02/12/2013
http://www.marylandzoo.org/animals-conservation/birds/african-penguin/
African Black-Footed Penguin: Spheniscus demersus
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http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/efc/efc_splash/splash_animals_pengu
in.aspx
http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/dzoo_bf_penguin.pdf
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/106003861/0
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Spheniscu
s_demersus.html
http://www.sanccob.co.za/ - The Southern African Foundation for the
Conservation of Coastal Birds
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.aspx - The Monterey
Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program