African Penguins

Scroll to content

About the African Penguin

African penguins (Spheniscus demersus), also known as jackass penguins due to their donkey-like bray, are a distinctive penguin species native to the southern African coastline.

They have a black back with a white belly and a characteristic black facial mask with a curved black stripe running across the chest.

Above their eyes, African penguins have a pink gland that helps them regulate body temperature by releasing heat.

They nest in burrows, under bushes, or rocky crevices along the coastline. Key breeding colonies include Boulders Beach and Dyer Island in South Africa.

Their diet mainly consists of small fish such as sardines, anchovies, and sometimes squid and crustaceans.

Commonality of African Penguins

These penguins are extremely common and are sighted daily along the South African coast.

Protection & Threats

African penguins are classified as Endangered by the IUCN. They face numerous threats, including overfishing of their prey, oil spills, habitat destruction, climate change, and predation by introduced species.

Conservation actions include establishing protected areas, artificial nesting sites, rehabilitation centres for oiled penguins, and fishery management to ensure sustainable prey populations.

Climate Change

Rising ocean temperatures are already having an impact on the African penguin colonies.

African Penguin Photography

Danielle Fear

African Penguins

African Penguins on Boulders Beach, South Africa.

Danielle Fear

Resting

African Penguins resting on a boulder.

Danielle Fear

African Penguins emerging from the water at Boulders Beach South Africa

Hitting the beach

African Penguins emerging from the ocean and onto Boulders Beach in Cape Town, South Africa.

Where to see African Penguins

African penguins are found along the southwestern coast of Africa, with significant populations on islands and along the mainland in South Africa and Namibia.