African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) (also known as Cape penguin or South African penguin) Boulders Beach, Simon’s Town South Africa, Africa

            Spending time with these little creatures at Boulders beach was amazing, I could have easily spent the entire day watching them and their antics. I laid down on the platform where they were wandering around so I could get down to their level and had some curious ones come and check me out. So adorable.

South Africa and Namibia are the only countries with African penguin colonies. Like all penguins, it is flightless with a streamlined body and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat. Adults weigh an average of 2.2–3.5 kg (4.9–7.7 lb) and are 60–70 cm (24–28 in) tall. This species has distinctive pink patches of skin above the eyes and a black facial mask. These pink patches above the eyes contain sweat glands that cool the bird’s blood and as the temperature rises, increased blood flow causes the glands to get pinker. They have a black stripe and black spots on the chest, the pattern of which is unique to each penguin, much like human fingerprints. The African penguin's colouring is a form of protective colouration known as countershading. The white undersides of the birds are difficult to spot by predators under the water and the penguins' black backs blend in with the water when viewed from above.

The African penguin is a pursuit diver and feeds primarily on fish (sardines mainly) and squid. Once extremely numerous, this penguin is now the rarest species of penguin classified as critically endangered, with its population declining rapidly due to overfishing of cold-water fish, being attacked by fur seals, domestic animals and also extreme weather events that damage penguin habitat. As of 2024, the African penguin is listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List, with the remaining mature individuals around 19,800 birds in a declining population. A 93% population decline over some 70 years.

Penguins never need to drink fresh water, they swallow seawater and sneeze the excess salt out of their nostrils. They can swim up to 12mph (7.45 kmh). An average dive of an African penguin lasts 2.5 minutes, and is regularly about 98ft (29.9m) in depth, although depths of up to 426ft (129.8m) have been recorded.
African Penguins used to be known as ‘Jackass’ Penguins due to their distinctive donkey-like bray. However, three other species of penguin have similar calls, and to avoid confusion this species, which is only found on the African continent, is now officially known as the African Penguin. It’s also a little more accurate description of a wonderful creature that is far more than its quirky vocal tones. African penguins live 10 to 27 years in the wild.

Taken on: October 14, 2024

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Camera: Canon EOS R5, f/9.0, 1/320 sec, 186mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS R5
Lens:	RF100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Aperture:	f/9.0
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length:	186mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	No Flash
Exposure Program:	Manual
Exposure Mode:	Manual
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic 14.0.1 (Macintosh)
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