These penguins are called jackass penguins because they emit a loud, braying, donkey-like call to communicate. They eat mainly fish (anchovies, pilchards, sardines, mackerel and herrings) but they also eat squid and shellfish. The word penguin is believed to be derived from the Welsh term “pen gwyn,” meaning “white head.” Penguins are flightless birds that use their wings as flippers to swim underwater. Once extremely numerous, the African penguin is declining due to a combination of threats and is classified as endangered. African penguin is one of the smallest species. Fun Facts About South African Penguins for Kids Penguins 101 #penguins #Africa. During the Molt, African Penguins Keep to a Diet. The eggs will be placed in a sand or guano as the nest. Extended spring special plus festive discounts, 2. Also, habitat alteration and disturbance associated with guano collection at breeding colonies contributed to their decline. King penguins walk slowly and do not hop. Males are slightly larger than females. Fun Facts. Happy Penguin Awareness Day! There are several species of penguins, depending on their habitat and appearance. But, most taxonomists agree there are approximately 17 main types of penguins. There are three types of calls used: a bray, used to attract a mate; the yell, used to defend their territory; and the haw, used by mates to locate each other when one is on land and one is at sea. At least one parent guards the chicks for about one month, whereafter the chicks joins a crèche with other chicks, and both parents head out to sea to forage each day. Instead of this, they are monogamous birds and start … The pink gland above their eyes helps them to cope with changing temperatures. Each penguin keeps its neighbor at an exact but close distance. The king penguin has the longest breeding cycle of all the penguin species, lasting 14 to 16 months. African penguins can swim up to 20 km/h (12.5 mph) and can travel 30 to 70 km (18.5 to 43.5 mi) during each trip. Here are 20 more fun facts about these adorable tuxedoed birds. African Penguin Fun Facts African penguins are the close relatives of South American penguins but both cousins live far apart. Macaroni penguins usually swim at about 15 km/h (9 mph), but can burst up to 24 km/h (15 mph). On June 23, 2000 the ore carrier Treasurer caused an oil spill near Robben and Dassen islands off South Africa. The following are 30 interesting penguin facts for kids.. 30 Fun Penguin Facts For Kids. Like all extant penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body, and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat.. There are several mated pairs and each of our penguins has a name — you can spot … Everyone celebrate — April 25 is World Penguin Day! Galapagos Penguins are the only penguin species that live right near the equator. African Penguins start breeding from between 2 to 6 years of age, but normally at 4 years. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Facts About the African Penguin (A Picture Book for Kids, Vol 346). Find out more about Adelie penguins and its battle with climate change and other threats. The incubation period lasts 38–40 days, after which both parents provide for their chicks by alternating feeding and guarding duties until the chicks are 30 days old. * Boys tend to be a little bigger than girls. Incubation period is about 38-42 days, with the, Portfolio is operated by Portfolio Media (Pty) Ltd (reg no. The female lays two eggs, which are incubated by both the male and the female. Portfolio is operated by Portfolio Media (Pty) Ltd (reg no. Predators of African penguins include sharks and fur seals. These hardy little penguins can hold their breath over 2 minutes and dive over 400 feet deep! They thrive on the islands between Namibia and South Africa. Female lay a clutch of two eggs. – All penguin species live in the southern hemisphere, from the Galapagos Islands to the Antarctic continent. FUN FACTS. When the fish is scarce, they will hunt shellfish and squid. African; Peruvian; Can you answer these questions? Emperor Penguins are the largest species of penguins. towards your next accommodation booking, or 5% off your next itinerary booking. 25 Fun Facts About Africa Daniel Nelson on March 27, 2018 Leave a Comment! Males are slightly larger than females. Their white belly will blend with the light when predators look up at them from below, and their black backs meld with the dar… King penguin. How do penguins keep warm? The white and black plumage serves as camouflage to predators, with the white appearing to aquatic predators from below … Penguins’ eyes work better underwater than they do in the air, giving them superior eyesight to spot prey while hunting, even in cloudy, dark, or murky water, or where water is turbulent. Where in the world do penguins live? They spend the night gathered together on shore and much of the day feeding in the water. Gulls and ibises eat 40% of African penguin eggs. While nesting, gulls, mongooses, caracals, Cape genets and domestic cats may prey on the penguins and their chicks. The African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), also known as the jackass penguin and black-footed penguin, is a species of penguin. More Fun Facts About Penguins. They eat mainly fish (anchovies, pilchards, sardines, mackerel and herrings) but they also eat, 4. Initially, their decline was due to the exploitation of eggs for food. Penguins lost the ability to fly millions of years ago, but their powerful flippers and streamlined … The removal of guano for commercial purposes forces penguins to nest on the surface in the sand under the shelter of bushes. The African penguin averages about 60 cm (2 ft.) tall and weighs up to 3.6 kg (8 lb.). Run by CapeNature, Stony Point has a thriving population of African penguins, and a boardwalk that winds through the colony, allowing visitors the opportunity to watch the penguins go about their daily lives from a safe distance. Nature conservation status. Magellanic penguins breed in coastal Chile, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands. African penguins: They are the only penguins found on the African continent. Macaroni Penguins Facts about African penguins 1: Diver The African penguin is a pursuit diver and feeds primarily on fish and squid. African penguin range map . You can follow @africanpenguin on twitter for updates on penguin and Chacma baboon news. Fun Facts: The only penguin species found in Africa. Adelie penguins may look cute and feathery, but these seabirds have one fiesty personality and have been known to take on potential predators much larger than them. They breed in colonies, and pairs return to the same site each year. When you think of penguins, chances are you’re thinking about emperor penguins, with their classic colouring and outstretched necks. They grow from 60 to 70 cm (24 to 28 in) tall and weight between 2.2 and 3.5 kg (4.9 and 7.7 lb). African Penguin Facts for Kids African Penguins in Cape Town African Penguins are medium sized penguins and they reach up to 70 cm/27 inches in height and weigh up to 3.5 kg. They are about 2 feet tall and weigh between 7 and 11 pounds. Penguins can’t fly, but they sure can swim. 2. Penguin guide: how to identify each species and best places to see. Did you know these Little Blue Penguin facts for kids? Like emperor penguins, king penguins do not build nests. Let our friendly travel experts help you create your dream holiday. Size and Weight: Adults weigh 4.9–7.7 pounds measure 60–70 cm in length. The favorite foods of African penguins include herrings, sardines, pilchards, anchovies and mackerel. Adelie penguins may look cute and feathery, but these seabirds have one fiesty personality and have been known to take on potential predators much larger than them. This species lives only on coastal islands and the mainland of southwestern Africa … Emperor penguin. Do penguins like people? Facts about African Penguins 4: diving. Above each eye, a white stripe rounds the head and goes down all the side of its body interrupted only at the flippers bu… African penguins are molting once a year for a period of about 20 days. There are sixteen different species of penguins including African, Chinstrap, Emperor, Erect-Crested, Galapagos, Humboldt, Macaroni, Rock Hopper, Royal, Snares, and Yellow-Eyed. Facts about African Penguins 7: breeding time The African penguins can breed when they are four years old. When it is very hungry, it sometimes even covers distances of 68 miles (110 km). The main predators of the penguins are feral cats, mongoose, and genets, rarely even leopards. 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