Do you know at least one animal that wails louder and longer than a stubborn donkey? It turns out that such a representative of the terrestrial fauna really exists. And this is not anyone, but a penguin, and an African one. The ability to make heart-rending, donkey-like screams is the reason why African penguins are often referred to as donkeys.
Exterior structure
For a long time, penguins were considered a separate animal species. Only relatively recently, the analysis of the structure of DNA allowed scientists to find out that they belong to a species of seabirds. Scientists are also sure that penguins are one of the oldest representatives of birds. And perhaps their evolutionary development began in the era of dinosaurs.
African penguins are the largest spectacled penguins. Their height can reach 70 cm. The maximum weight is 5 kg. They have a standard color - black at the back, white at the front, that is, "under the tailcoat." But havepenguins-"Africans" have their own individual feature. This is a black stripe, transverse at chest level and going down the sides. Thus, its shape resembles a horseshoe.
All penguins, including African penguins, have an unusual ability to stand and move vertically. This is possible due to the special structure of their paws, which are equipped with skin membranes. With the help of the same paws, as well as paddle-shaped wings, they are excellent swimmers.
The cub is not as pretty in appearance as an adult African penguin. The chick is covered with brown-gray down, which only after reaching adulthood acquires a blue tint. The solid and menacing appearance of these birds is also due to the special shape of the beak and the presence of harpoon teeth, thanks to which the chicks catch fish with a "stranglehold".
Features of behavior
African penguins feed mainly on anchovies and sardines.
Life expectancy varies between 10-12 years. Puberty occurs at the age of 4-5 years. The female usually lays 2 eggs at a time. Parents incubate them in turn for 40 days. Donkey penguins do not have a distinct breeding season. Only the dependence of the season of incubation of eggs on the habitat in which the African penguin is located is known. Interesting facts about penguins have become the object of research by Argentine scientists. They found out: among the "Africans" there are couples who have not parted for 16 years. That is why penguins are called one of the mostfaithful modern representatives of the fauna.
The African penguin is also characterized by good endurance. Representatives of this species dive to a depth of more than 100 m, hold their breath for several minutes, and can swim up to 120 km without stopping, while developing speeds up to 20 km/h.
The main enemies of chicks are sharks and gulls, while adults compete for prey and may become victims of fur seals.
Protected by the Red Book
At the beginning of the 20th century, these birds were on the verge of extinction. The reason for this was the use of their eggs for food by the local population. African penguins did not have time to incubate eggs, as the inhabitants simply collected them. To date, this species is listed in the International Red Book and is protected by law. But even despite the protection, African ornithologists have noted a decrease in the population of this species of penguins by almost 50% over the past five years. Scientists attribute this fact to the depletion of the fish stock in ocean waters. Intensive commercial fishing leads to the fact that African penguins are experiencing a lack of food, which, in turn, leads to the threat of extinction of this bird species.
Distribution area
Where African penguins live, you can understand by the name of the species. They live on the coast of South Africa and Namibia, as well as nearby islands, where the cold Benguela Current is localized. They live in colonies. To date, there are 140-180 thousand individuals, while, according to research, in the 1900sthe population consisted of 2 million individuals.
Penguins are, of course, one of the most unusual inhabitants of Africa. They happily bask on the sands of Cape Town, enjoy sunbathing, fish in the ocean waters and welcome numerous tourists, willingly posing in front of camera lenses.
