|
The Galapagos Penguin is one of
the world's smallest penguins at only about 35cm tall when standing.
It is the only penguin found in the
Northern Hemisphere (though only just!) and the only penguin that
breeds entirely within the tropics. Adult birds are darker than
youngsters which are more grey than black and lack the distinctive
banding around the head and chest of the adults. They are found more
commonly in the Western Islands where the water is colder and will
breed at any time of the year when there is adequate food supply. In
practise, this means when the water temperature is below about 23°C.
Nests are made in holes or crevices
in between rocks near to the shore line, and like most penguin
species, they lay two eggs of which only one usually survives.
Chicks are looked after for about 2 months after hatching when they
become independent, though some stay in small family groups for
longer than this. |
Previous
