- Origin: South Africa
- Class: Birds
- Order: Sphenisciforme
- Family: Sphénicidés
The African penguin is the only penguin on the African continent. It is found on the coasts of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans of southern Africa. It is around 68 cm long and weighs 4.5 kg. Its skin is covered with tiny, uniform feathers that are very waterproof.
It feeds exclusively on fish and crustaceans. To escape its main predators, the sea lion and the white shark, it fishes in large groups.
They reproduce throughout the year, normally forming a pair for life. The female generally lays two eggs, which the pair incubates for around 40 days. The chicks are fed for 4 months on fish regurgitated by the parents, after which the young follow them to the sea.
In 1992, their population was estimated at 120,000 individuals, compared with over a million in 1930. The causes of this collapse are varied, but they are all man-made. Egg collection, marketing of guano, oil spills and a reduction in fish stocks due to intensive fishing.
IUCN Status : near threatened (Appendix II)