African penguin

Spheniscus demersus

Aves · Sphenisciformes · Spheniscidae

Fig. 1. African penguin

Fig. 2. Range

Length or height	About 60-70 cm tall
Weight	About 2.2-3.5 kg
Food	Sardines and anchovies
Lifespan	About 15-20 years
Society	Colonies
Habitat	coastal
Range	Africa
Wild or tame	Wild

A warm-climate penguin from South Africa and Namibia. Moved to critically endangered in 2024.

Observe: Look for the pink skin patch above each eye, which helps it lose heat.

Modern data

Status today

CRCritically endangered Endangered (US ESA) status to verify

Conservation	Critically endangered; overfishing of its prey.
Keeper's note	Daily checks of appetite, movement and behavior; enrichment that changes from day to day.
Kingdom · phylum	Animalia · Chordata
Genus	Spheniscus

Check the record: IUCN Red List · GBIF · ITIS

See it elsewhere in the museum

For classes

Lessons: The Mammal Hall: Weigh the cost of warmthPreviewThe Mammal Hall: What makes a mammal?PreviewThe Great Aquarium: Is a dolphin a fish?Preview

Drawer: Zoo: Polar coast

Quiz: Polar coast quiz · 5 questions