Jackass Penguins
Speniscus demersus
Speniscus demersus, the African Penguin is also called the Jackass Penguin because of its donkey like braying call. It is the only species of all penguins worldwide (18 species) that can be found on the African continent. African penguins live and breed on the coast of South Africa and on the off shore islands.
<top> Details
- Height: 60-68 cm
- Weight (male): 3.6 kg
- Weight (female): 3 kg
- life expectancy: usually 10-12 years (sometimes up to 25 years)
nutrition
- Adults eat about 550 g/day
- pilchards
- anchovies
- squid
- Range: up to 40km a day
swimming
- very good swimmers and can reach up to 20km/h
- can dive up to 100m (1 to 4 minutes)
- usually hunt at a depth of 30-40m
moult
- mainly in November/December
- about 3 weeks
- parents are land bound during this period and starve
<top> Breeding
Lifelong breeding pairs are formed!!!
- Age: this penguins reach maturity at 2-4 years
- Season: February to October
- Nest: built under bushes or in small hollows near the coast
- Eggs: usually two
- Incubation: 38-42 days
- Nesting period: about 11 weeks: both parents feed the chicken
<top> related links
Adopt a penguin: SANCCOBAfrican Penguin (1): SANCCOB (2)
African Penguin (2): University of Cape Town ADU