Galapagos Penguin

Animal Unique | Australian Pelican | The Galapagos penguin is a penguin endemic to the Galapagos Islands. It is the only penguin that lives north of the equator in the wild, but can survive due to the cool temperatures due to the Humboldt Current and the cool water brought from great depths by the Cromwell Current. The Galapagos penguin is one of the banded penguins, other species usually occur on the shores of mainland South America and Africa.

Scientific classification
Kingdom:     Animalia
Phylum:     Chordata
Class:     Aves
Order:     Sphenisciformes
Family:     Spheniscidae
Genus:     Spheniscus
Species:     S. mendiculus

The Galapagos penguin is the third smallest species of penguin. The average size of the penguins is 49 inches and 2.5 pounds. They have a black head with a white border running from behind the eye, ear-coverts black around the chin and, to invite the throat. They have blackish-gray upperparts and whitish belly, with two black bands across the chest, the lower band extending down the flanks of the thigh. Young people differ in having a whole cup of dark, gray on the side and chin, and no breast-band. The female Galapagos penguins are smaller than the males, but are otherwise quite similar.

Galapagos penguins mate for life and are opportunistic breeders. In good conditions, a few produce three clutches in a year. They usually molt before breeding, and are the only penguins to more than once a year drop. During the period of two weeks they molt prevent the water, and fast. Courtship is preening of the head of the helmsman, and wing slapping Bill intersection. Galapagos penguins eat mostly small fish such as sardines and mullet. They depend on ocean currents to fish to their feeding grounds. 20 years ago, an El Niño caused a severe shortage of food, where more than 70% of the Galapagos penguins died.

During surface swimming, Galapagos penguin move slowly, with most of their body underwater and stabbing their head up. At times, they swim with their head down in the water, looking for fish. But when they move into action, they dive under water and move with incredible speed, using their powerful flippers / wings for propulsion and their feet as rudders.

Galapagos penguin has many predators. On land, the penguins keep an eye out for crabs, snakes, owls, hawks, and, while in the water should be avoided sharks, seals and sea lions. They face many dangers caused by humans, and the risks of unreliable food sources, and volcanic activity. Illegal fishermen interrupt the penguins' nesting trees, and they are often caught in fishing nets by accident.

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