SCIENCE with Ms Lun
African penguin
Species
The African penguin is from the Spheniscus genus. Closely related penguins include a few South American penguins: Magellanic, Humboldt and Galapagos penguins.
Spheniscus demerus
South African, Cape or jackass penguin
Population
The African penguin was assessed in 2019 by the IUCN as endangered. There are thought to be 41,700 with decreasing numbers. In the last 28 years, the population has decreased by 60%.
Size
African penguins are one of the smaller species of penguin at 60 - 68 cm long. It weighs 3.7 - 4 kg and males are slightly larger than females.
They have unique black dots on their white fronts (as individual as our fingerprints or a zebra's stripes).
Habitat & distribution
Found only along the south western coast of Namibia and Port Elizabeth, South Africa) and 25 surrounding islands. The largest colony is on Dyer Island. African penguins prefer to stay within 40 km of the coast and come to shore to breed, moult and rest. They also stay close to the breeding site throughout the year.
The human impact on the African penguin
In the 1800's African penguins numbered more than 4 million. However, a 60% decline in numbers over the last 28 years has seen the penguin become endangered. The South African Foundation for Conservation of Coastal Birds say there are only 10,300 breeding pairs pf African penguins in 2021 (40,000 breeding pairs have been lost in the past 20 years). Until 1982, the African penguin was not seen on the African mainland. A few penguins turned up at Boulders Beach and now the colony numbers 2,000 - 3,000. Thankfully, Boulders and the surrounding beaches are now part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area. The Stoney Point Penguin colony at Betty's Bay is the third largest African Penguin colonies with approximately 3,600 penguins.
Why did the penguins start coming to the mainland? Areas around the surrounding islands have been over fished meaning their preferred sardines were harder to find. This has changed their dietary habits or forced them to areas where sardines are more plentiful.
Diet
Sardines, anchovies, squid and crustaceans form their diet. They can eat fish whole.
Interesting facts
~ African penguins bray like a donkey, which is why they are sometimes known as the jackass penguin.
~ They have a bare patch of skin above the eye which helps keep them cool. As the temperature gets hotter, more blood flows to this patch (and looks pinker) and heat dissipates from this patch.
~ African penguins can hold their breaths for over 2 minutes and dive to depths of 120 metres.
~ They are fast swimmers (20 km/h).
Group
A group of penguins is called a colony.
Nursery groups of young chicks form when parents go off to feed.
Breeding & lifespan
80-90% of African penguins pair up for life. Breeding season differs from Namibia (Nov-Dec) to South Africa (March-May). 2 eggs are laid in a nest made from sand and guano (poop) under bushes or rocks. They need shelter from the hot sun. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs which take about 40 days to hatch and they share feeding responsibilities.
Average lifespan in the wild is 10-15 years.
Predators & threats
On land, leopards and mongoose prey on African penguins. Feral cats are a problem at some island colonies. Chicks may be prey for some birds, snakes and rats. At sea, fur seals and sharks prey on penguins.
Humans: African penguin eggs were once considered a delicacy by the French. Commercial fishing is a threat through by catch (accidentally catching penguins in the nets) and over fishing of the fish species penguins feed on.