Galapagos Penguin Facts

The Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is a penguin species which is exclusively found in the Galapagos Islands off the coast of South America, in the Pacific Ocean. As this species is restricted to the Galapagos Islands, many people out there are not even aware of their existence - leave alone the interesting facts about them. Such ignorance about a penguin species which has been declared endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is doing no good for it.

Interesting Facts about Galapagos Penguins

Not many people can boast of knowing that the Galapagos penguin is the northernmost dwelling species of penguin in the world or smallest penguin species in South America. There exist several interesting facts about them, including the fact that they are opportunistic breeders (i.e. breed at any time of the year), and that their adaptation tactics are mainly directed at losing heat rather than gaining it. Given below are more of such details about the Galapagos penguin species.

Geographical Range and Habitat
As its name suggests, the Galapagos species is endemic to Galapagos Islands in the Pacific which belong to the Republic of Ecuador. While this island group consists of several volcanic islands, 90 percent of the Galapagos penguins found here are restricted to the islands of Fernandina and Isabela in the west. Rest of them are spread on other islands - namely Santiago, Santa Cruz, Bartolome and Floreana. It is the only species of penguin which is found in the northern hemisphere.

Description
The Galapagos penguin is a classic example of black and white penguin species i.e. the species with black back and white underparts which we often associate with the word 'penguin'. They are typically characterized by a white line which begins behind their eyes, runs down their chin, and further down their body. On an average, these penguins can grow on to attain a height of 19-20 inches and weigh up to 6 lbs. This makes them the third smallest penguin species in the world, and the smallest penguin species in South America.

Diet and Hunting
Galapagos penguins mostly feed on small fish species, such as sardines and mullet, which are brought in by the water currents of this region. In fact, the Galapagos species is highly dependent on water currents for food. In times of food scarcity, they also feed on crustaceans which come their way. These penguins hunt within a radius of few miles from the breeding site, and most often resort to hunting during the daytime. More importantly, they have a peculiar style of hunting wherein they swoop down to the bottom of the ocean, beneath their prey and grab it by coming up on it.

Lifespan and Reproduction
The Galapagos penguin species has a lifespan of 15-20 years in the wild. Interestingly they attain sexual maturity between the age of 3-8, and continue to be sexually active throughout their life. Owing to the fact that they don't have a specific breeding season as such, the Galapagos penguin species can breed anytime during the year and that too, as many as three times in a year. The flexibility in breeding season is one of the natural adaptations in this species which helps them make sure that the young ones are born when food is available in abundance. This adaptive mechanism is quite important as this species relies on water currents for food supply. The female Galapagos penguin lays one or two eggs in the nest prepared at the breeding site which is within a range of approximately 50m from the sea. The eggs hatch after the incubation period of 38-40 days, and the parents choose the healthy hatchling, in case of two eggs, and give it preferential treatment so that it survives while ignoring the other.

Adaptations
Considering the fact that penguins, in general, are mostly associated with cold regions, it is a surprise for many to find this penguin species living close to the equator. Basically, the Galapagos penguin has adapted to the warm climate in this region. It spends most of the time, during the day, in the ocean water which is relatively cold owing to the cold water brought in by Cromwell Current and comes on land after sunset for rest. Standing with flippers spread apart is yet another adaptation in this species which facilitates heat loss, and helps them survive the soaring temperature of this region.

As we mentioned earlier, the Galapagos penguin is battling for its very survival on the planet and has been enlisted as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This species of penguin was declared threatened back in 1988. By 1994, there was a drastic decline in the population owing to which it was classified as vulnerable and within a period 5 years it was reclassified as endangered. If the situation continues, it will not be long before we see it featuring in IUCN Red List, the list of extinct animals.