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Birds

African
Penguin

Endangered

Decreasing

African Penguin

Spheniscus demersus

The African Penguin confined to southern African waters. African Penguins grow to 70 cm tall and weigh 5 kg. They have a black stripe and black spots on the chest, the pattern of spots being unique for every penguin, like human fingerprints. They have pink glands above their eyes, which are used for thermoregulation. The hotter the penguin gets, the more blood is sent to these glands so it may be cooled by the surrounding air, thus making the glands more pink.

Black-footed Penguin

Regional Names
Media Gallery
Taxanomy

SPHENISCIFORMES
SPHENISCIDAE
Spheniscus demersus

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