Facts and Features of Galapagos Penguin

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Sphenisciformes

Family: Spheniscidae

Genre: Spheniscus

Scientific name: Spheniscus mendiculus

Type: Bird

Diet: Carnivore

Size (H): 48cm - 50cm (19 inches - 20 inches)

Weight: 2 kg - 4 kg (4.4 lbs - 8.8 lbs)

Life Span: 15 - 20 years

Lifestyle: Colony

Conservation Status: Endangered

Color: Black, White, Grey

Skin Type: Feathers

Favorite Food: Krill

Habitat: Rocky Ocean Islands

Average Litter Size: 2

Main Prey: krill, fish, shrimp

Attackers: Leopard seal, killer whale, sharks

Distinguishing Features: small body size and head completely black

The Galapagos penguin is the third smallest species of penguin in the world and is different, because it lives in north than any other species of penguins. The Galapagos penguin is believed to be closed to  African penguins and Humboldt penguins  found along the coasts of Peru and Chile. 

While ninety five percent of the world's Galapagos penguins live in the western islands of Fernandina and Isabela, you can also see in Santiago, Bartolome, northern Santa Cruz and Floreana. The north end of Ecuador Isabel crosses the equator, which means that these animals occasionally visit the northern hemisphere, and are the only species of penguin to do. 

The Galapagos penguin has a black head with a white border running from behind the eyes, around the black  ear coverts and chin , to join  throat. Galapagos penguins are blackish gray back and whitish underparts with two black bars across breast, with the lower band that spans the flank  in the thigh. 

Before the breeding, the Galapagos penguin molts, and can do it twice a year. While  moulting, they usually stay out of the water. They are able to go to the sea for food rather than starve, since the water is so hot in their area.As they moult  before breeding, Galapagos penguins are able to ensure they do not starve during the molting process. 

The Galapagos penguin is a carnivorous animal, like other penguin species, survives on a diet that only consists of marine animals. Krill and small crustaceans make up the majority of the Galapagos penguin diet along with larger organisms including squid and various species of fish. 

As its size is smaller in nature ,it has many predators both in the water and also when they are on land. On land, Galapagos penguins must keep an eye out for crabs, snakes, owls and hawks, while in the water avoid sharks, seals and sea lions.The Galapagos penguin has also been severely affected by human activity throughout the archipelago. 

On average calculation ,the Galapagos penguin breeds per year, forming couple that usually remain loyal to each other.The Galapagos penguin female lays two eggs which are incubated by both parents for 40 days,when only one of the eggs usually hatch. The Galapagos penguin chicks are fed and sheltered by their parents and remain with them until the chicks are nearly a year old. 

Today, the Galapagos penguin is  an endangered species, as like many species found around the islands, which are endemic to the area and do not grab comfortably to sudden changes in their environment.