Galapagos Penguin

Galapagos Penguin Facts

Classified as one of the smaller species of penguins, the Galapagos are quite interesting. They aren’t more than 5 pounds when fully grown or taller than 20 inches. There are some distinct markings that help make it easier to identify this type of penguin. For example they feature a head that is black but has a white border that starts out behind the eyes and runs from both sides to meet at the base of their throat.

The belly is white with small black spots scattered on it. When they are adults, you will notice what looks like an upside down horseshoe there. It can be very small or it can range across the entire belly region.

Distribution

The name for this particular penguin comes from where it lives. Along the Galapagos Islands is where you will find them. Smaller colonies are also found in this same generally vicinity but on other islands. Two that have a constant Galapagos Penguin representation include Fernandina Island and Isabela Island.

They are the only known species of penguin that is able to successfully live so close to the equator. They temperatures here are very warm. At the same time though the water is extremely cold due to the currents that come into this area. The nights are very cool at the equator which is why they don’t venture out when they sun goes down.

Behavior

Due to the colder water and temperatures, the Galapagos Penguins have a routine. They leave their burrows in the morning as the sun comes up. They spend most of the day eating, playing in the water, caring for their young, and socializing with others in the colony. As the sun goes down they begin a march back to their burrows for the night.

There are some peculiar behaviors of the Galapagos Penguins. Researchers believe they are to help them survive so close to the equator. For example they sleep with their flippers outward. This is believed to prevent the heat from escaping their bodies. They are also seen placing their flippers over their feet as they walk on land. This is believed to be an effort to prevent the sunlight from burning their sensitive feet.

Diet /Feeding

The Galapagos Penguins enjoy a variety of foods that they find in the waters around them. They include small fish, krill, mullet, and sardines. They will consume a variety of crustaceans if those primary sources of food aren’t readily available in enough supply to satisfy them.

They won’t venture very far to find food or dive very deep into the waters. Instead they stay close to the shoreline. The current is able to bring the majority of the food they want to them without too much effort on their part.

Reproduction

It is possible for a Galapagos Penguin to mate up to three times annually. They don’t have any specific season when their breeding takes place. Generally, it will depend on their habitat and the supply of food. If the feel threatened in either area they won’t reproduce under such stress.

Once breeding has been successful, the eggs laid have to be incubated for approximately 40 days. Both parents take turns completing this process to ensure the egg stays warm as well as protected from a variety of predators in the area. The parents will bring food to the burrow for the young for about 65 days before they are forced to move on their own.

Conservation

There are less than 1,600 Galapagos Penguins left in the world. This is believed to be the result of upsets in nature that occurred in the 1980’s. Due to an El Nino, the currents were changed and that severely affected their food supply. As a result many of the adults died of starvation. At the same time reproduction was almost non existent under such stressful conditions.