The Life Cycle of the African Penguin. 불더스 비취 (Boulders Beach). 케이프타운(Cape Town)

The Life Cycle of the African Penguin.

불더스 비취(Boulders Beach). 케이프타운(Cape Town).

남아공(South Africa)

 

 

Molts at 1 year

African penguins typically molt between November and January. During this time, they are land-bound for 21 days, as they do not have the protection of their waterproof plumage against the cold and damp

 

Penguins start breeding at aproximately 4 years of age, and normally lay 2 eggs, Nests can be open surface nests or burrowed

 

Incubation - 38-42 days

The incubation period is about 38-42 days, with both parents sharing the incubation duties

 

 

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African penguins have a black upside down U-shape on their neck with black speckles on their chest.

They are about 46cm tall and weigh between 3 and 5 kg

African penguins are also known as the Blackfooted Penguin.

Penguins' eyes are especially adapted to see under water, even if the water is murky.

 

Where Do Penguins Live ?

Penguins only live in the Southern Hemisphere. African penguins live and breed on the coast of South Africa and Namibia.

 

What Do They Eat ?

Penguins only eat food from the ocean. African penguins eat mainly fish (anchovies, pilchards and sardines) but they also eat squid and shellfish.

 

Are Penguins Endangered ?

The African penguins is now considered to be endangered. There are between 21,000 and 25,000 breeding pairs of African penguins left in the world. Two of the threats to the African penguin are oil pollution and a decrease in food supply.

 

Penguins are birds that don't fly - but they are great swimmers !

 

How Do Penguins Swim ?

Penguins are able to swim by flapping their flippers in the water. They also use their tails and legs as rudders to steer under water.

 

They hold their breath on a dive for an average of 2.5 minutes !

 

How Do They Keep Cool ?

On land in warmer weather, overheating can be a problem

1. Penguins can cool down by moving to shaded areas and by panting (like dogs do when

    they're hot).

2. Penguins can ruffle their feathers, this breaks up the insulating air layer next to the skin,

   so releasing the warm air and cooling them down.

3. Penguins can increase their heat loss by holding the flippers away from the body, so both

    surfaces of the flippers are exposed to air, releasing heat.

4. Species that live in warmer climates, such as the Humboldt and African penguins, don't

    have feathers on their legs and have bare patches on their faces where excess heat can be

    lost.

 

Table Mountain National Park

A Park for All, Forever in Park vir Almal, vir Altyd

iPaka yoluntu lonke ngonaphakade

 

- 안내문에서 -

 

 

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