ZooBlog

Spheniscus demersus
Class: Aves
Habitat: Rocky shores, warm climates in southern Africa
Length: 24 inches
Weight: 4-12 lbs
Incubation: 38-42 days, 2-3 eggs
Diet: Small fish such as capelin
Photo © Matt L.

Jackass penguins
Black-footed penguins are also known as Jackass penguins or African penguins. They like and have adopted to warm climates in South Africa. They spend about 75% of their life in the water, and only come ashore for breeding and molting. They have white feather, a white stripe encircling its black cheek and throat, and a black horseshoe-shaped stripe across its chest. There are also unique black dots on their chest.

Reproduction
Black-footed penguins breed throughout the year, female penguins reach sexual maturity at the age of four, while males at the age of five. They are a monogamous species in which they have only one mate in a relationship throughout their life. They also dig burrows to protect their eggs from the sun and  predators.

Conservation
Because of habitat loss, overfishing and oil spills, black-footed penguins are vulnerable.

Animal Info
Black-footed penguins can be seen at the New York Aquarium.

Pygoscelis antarcticus
Class: Aves
Habitat: South Orkneys, South Shetland, South Georgia and the Antarctica
Length: 27 inches
Weight: 10 lbs
Incubation: 35 days, 2 eggs
Diet: Large krill, squid and small fish
Photo © Matt L.

1,2,3...7,500,000!
Chinstrap penguins are the second-most abundant penguin species, after the Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) in the Antarctica regions. The breeding population is estimated at approximately 7.5 million pairs. They are easily distinguished by their narrow black band of feather extended from the ears to the chin and cheeks. Although Chinstrap penguins live in the Antarctica regions, they avoid ice packs because it reduces access to the sea for food source.

Roy and Silo
Right here in New York at Central Park Zoo, two male Chinstrap penguins once formed a pair and took turns to hatch a rock that resembles an egg. Keepers then gave them an extra fertilized egg and they successfully raised a healthy chick, named Tango. The two separated in 2005 when Silo formed a new relationship with a female named Scrappy.

Animal Info
Chinstrap penguins can be seen at the Central Park Zoo.

Pygoscelis papua
Class: Aves 
Habitat: South Georgia, Kerguelen Islands, South Shetland Islands and the Antarctica 
Length: 30-36 inches 
Weight: 11-18 lbs 
Incubation: 35-39 days, 2 eggs 
Diet: Fish crustaceans and squid
Photo © Matt L.

Fast Swimmers
Gentoo penguins are the fastest underwater swimming bird, reach speeds of 22mph. They are easily recognized by the wide white stripe that goes across the tops of their heads from one eye to another, they also have a very bright orange beak. Chicks have grey backs with white fronts.

Predators and conservation 
Natural predators of adult Gentoo penguins are sea lions and killer whales, while chicks are often taken by skuas. The breeding population is estimated at approximately 314,000 pairs.

Animal Info
Gentoo penguins can be seen at the Central Park Zoo.