Galapagos Island Penguins

Galapagos island penguins (Spheniscus mendiculus) are endemic to the Galapagos.

These penguins are the smallest in the world, and they live 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador right in the Galapagos Islands.

The biggest populations can be seen mainly on the islands of Fernandina and Isabela.

They are also present in small numbers on Bartolome, Santa Cruz and Floreana islands.


 

Penguins General Description:

The female penguins are smaller than the males but have a similar structure.

Galapagos island penguins are similar to the Magellanic penguins except that the black band in the Galapagos penguin is thinner and they are smaller in size. Click here to request Free Galapagos Brochures

The penguins in the Galapagos Islands were brought by the Humboldt Current, which is composed by cold waters and nutrients coming from the Antarctica.

The Galapagos penguins enter into the water to cool off form the strong Equator sun and they swim slowly and graciously just with their heads above the water.

But when they are looking for food they can submerge into the water using its flippers and feet to gain a great speed.

In most cases they look for food close to shore and feed mostly on small fish such as sardines and mullet which are caught while they swim and dive in the ocean.

Penguins feed only during the day and depend on the cold nutrient-rich ocean currents such as the Humboldt Current to bring fish for their feeding.

In 1987 the Niņo Current was devastating for Galapagos penguins, almost 75% of the penguin population died because of a severe lack of food due to this current.



Less than 1,000 pairs are now living in the islands and that's why the Galapagos island penguins are considered and endangered species.

On land the Galapagos penguin must be aware of its predators such as snakes, crabs, the Galapagos hawk and from introduced animals like dogs, cats and rats.

And at the sea the penguins can be and excellent meal for: Galapagos fur seals, Galapagos sharks and Galapagos sea lions

Besides the above dangers the Galapagos penguins have to take care of their eggs that are laid under the lava rocks and also have to take care of their chicks which will be with their parents for around 60 days until they can feed for themselves in the sea.

The next time you visit the Galapagos Islands don't miss the opportunity to see these gracious Galapagos island penguins living in the tropics of the Equator.

More About Galapagos:

Galapagos Recommended Reading

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