Galapagos Penguin

The Galapagos Penguin is endemic to the Galapagos Islands and is only found in the northern area of the equator. You can find penguins in the following islands:  

• Isabela Island – from South of Puerto Villamil, along with the entire western coast
• Fernandina Island –  West
• Bartolomé Island – Central
• Santiago Island – Central
• Floreana Island – South

The Galapagos Penguin is half as big as the Empire Penguin in the Antartic. They can grow up to 53 cm and weigh up to 2.5 Kilo. Currently, there are around 1,500 penguins living in the entire archipelago. The greatest enemy for the penguins is actually the El Niño which warms up the sea, depleting the penguin’s source of food which results in having little or no offsprings for that period.

The feathers on the back of the Galapagos Penguins are dark and white at the front, often with dark streaks. Like the African Penguin, the Galapagos Penguin also has a white border running from behind the eye, around the black ear-coverts and chin, to join on the throat.

Habitat and Diet

Penguins are not excellent divers and they can only remain underwater for 90 seconds and dive up to 15 metres. They feed mainly on small fishes which are hunted by a group of penguins.

Penguins do not have a fixed breeding season, and it appears to depend on water temperature. The penguins can breed up to 3 times per year. They lay around two eggs within 3 to 5 days and they incubate it for 40 days before the eggs hatch. Both penguin parents take turns to look after their babies for 11 weeks until they can fly.  

Species Protection

The Galapagos penguin has several enemies, including the Galapagos Hawk, dogs, cats and rats that are brought onshore by humans. They are also at risk due to global warming which results in warmer waters. However, with strict regulations on domestic cats and dogs in place, the Galapagos penguin population has recovered over time.

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