The Galapagos Penguin

Spheniscus mendiculus, also known as the Galapagos Penguin is found and endemic to the Galapagos Islands, off the western coast of Ecuador. These species are the rarest, smallest and most endangered penguin species in the world, and the only penguins found at the equator. These penguins are colonial and tend to be together in groups.

Physical Description:

The average length of a Galapagos penguin is 53 cm or 20.87 in while the range mass would be between 1700 to 2600 grams. They are fairly small penguins with sexual dimorphism where the males would be slightly larger than the females. As a banded penguin, they have black heads with white marks that begin above the eyes circling down to their necks and to their chest. A distinguishing factor from the similar Spheniscus Magellanicus is that they have the narrowest head-stripe of the banded penguins. The upper bill is mostly black and the lower bill is a combination of white, black, and light orange. They have round to almond shaped eyes with black and webbed feet.

 

 

What is their natural habitat?

Galapagos Penguins occupy coastal areas and offshore waters where cold currents brings food and other necessities that sustain population into the region. They would rest on rocky beaches, sandy shores and sheltered coasts. Most of these penguins would breed on the larger islands of Fernandina and Isabella where they lay eggs in caves or holes found in the volcanic rocks of the islands.

Reproduction:

One of my favorite traits of penguins are the fact that they are monogamous creature are are able to identify their mates with their olfactory system. Breeding within these penguins include various courtship rituals such as flipper patting, displays of mutual preening, and bill dueling. Once they found a mate, and before copulation, each pair builds a nest that is constantly refurbished until the eggs are laid. Copulation usually last around a minute and as the egg laying draws closer, they may copulate more frequently up to 14 mounts a day. When the eggs are laid, both parents would care for the young by foraging for food, fasting, and incubating the egg. Galapagos penguins typically would breed two to three times a year depending if supplies are abundance in the area and coastal waters are cold enough. Egg incubation would last from 38 to 42 days. The average fledging age of the chicks are 60 days and would become independent 3 to 6 months. To reach sexual maturity, males must wait another 4 to 6 years while females wait 3 to 4 years. They have a quite interesting and unique nesting behavior. Galapagos penguins will make their nest out of any resources available and would often steal pebbles and sticks from neighboring nests when the inhabitants are not present.

Life span/ longevity:

Galapagos penguins usually live up to 15 to 20 years. However, because of current predation, starvation, human disturbance, and climate change, most penguins don’t live up to such ages.

Food Habits and Predation:

Galapagos penguins are carnivorous and likes to prey on all type of small fish including anchovies, mullets and sardines. They use their short wings to swim fast through the waters and capture small fish with their stout beaks . The anatomical placement of their eye with their beaks allow them to see prey best from a position below the prey. Typically, these species would hunt within groups and capture prey by pursuing them from below.

To reduce predation of the eggs, Galapagos penguins lay their eggs in caves or holes in volcanic rocks. In order to protect themselves, they would often attack, vocalize, and use body movements to fend off predators. This is also most effective when they are in groups when confronting predators. The usual predators for adult penguins include hawks, owls, feral cats and dogs. When they forage for food in the water, sharks and other large marine mammals would prey on them.

 

Conservation Efforts:

Sadly, the Galapagos penguin is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of the Threatened Species. Due to El Niño events, which are occurring more frequently because of global climate change , the population had a drastic reduction during 1982-83 and 1997-98. When the water temperature increases and food become scarce, penguins begin to starve, stop breeding, and abandon their young.  Among many reasons for endangerment, limited nesting options is one of them. Many nests used 40 years ago no longer exists, some are used by marine iguanas, and some would occasionally get flooded. As an effort to regain the penguin population, Dr. Dee Boersma of the University of Washington and her research team built 120 high-quality, shady nest sites in 2010. Later on,  it was concluded that penguins were using both natural and constructed nests.  In some years in the Mariela Islands, constructed nests have been responsible for up to 43% of penguin breeding activity. Dr. Boersma and her team have recommended that the Galapagos National Park create a marine protected area in Elizabeth Bay. This special protection will also benefit other species of seabirds, marine mammals, and fish.

Citations:

• “Galapagos Penguin Population Conservation Efforts.” Galapagos Conservancy, Inc., https://www.galapagos.org/conservation/our-work/ecosystem-restoration/increasing-the-galapagos-penguin-population/.
• Wahlstrom, Joshua. “Spheniscus Mendiculus (Galapagos Penguin).” Animal Diversity Web, https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Spheniscus_mendiculus/#:~:text=Galapagos%20penguins%20can%20live%20for,not%20live%20to%20such%20ages