A new home in Boulders Beach
In 1982, a couple of African penguins settled on the soft white sand between the large granite boulders of Boulders Beach that protect the beach from wind and large, stormy waves. Today, the population is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000, although numbers are sadly decreasing. Thankfully, Boulders Beach and its surrounding beaches now form part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, thus ensuring the beaches are safe and clean, and the penguins protected. With the recent addition of three boardwalks
that wind their way through the dunes and vegetation, they protect nesting penguins and their chicks and provide excellent viewing spots for the public.

They were once considered ‘fish’
When Bartholomew Diaz and his crew first landed in southern Africa, they became the first Europeans to see African penguins. The Portuguese settlers were devout Catholics, and thus were not allowed to eat meat on Fridays. They were, however, allowed to eat fish, and made the decision to classify the flightless penguin as a fish, due to the penguin’s love of swimming.

They’re fast swimmers
When a penguin dives underwater to find food, their flippers can propel them at speeds of up to 8km/h. To put that in context, the fastest human swimmer has only managed a speed of 8.46km/h over 50m. Penguins also do something called porpoising. This involves swimming fast, then leaping out of the water while taking a breath. When doing this, they can swim up to 19km/h.

They can also hold their breaths for up to two-and-a-half minutes. Now you can see why penguins are considered to be so powerful in the water (and why the Portuguese settlers had no problem classifying them as fish!).

They have a unique call
African penguins used to be known as ‘jackass’ penguins due to their distinctive donkey-like bray. However, three other species of penguin have similar calls, and to avoid confusion within this species, which is only found on the continent, is now officially known as the African penguin.

They can double, and then halve, their weight in a matter of weeks
As part of the annual moulting process, African penguins experience drastic weight fluctuations as preparation for moulting season. When they are unable to enter the water, penguins can double their weight, gorging on fish and storing up fat for the long period where they do not eat. They live off this fat for approximately three weeks, as they lose their old faded feathers and gain the smart new plumage. This causes their weight to drop as dramatically as it increased, and during this period the penguins are also visibly grumpy.

Their numbers have decreased
Sadly, the African penguin has been a species in decline since the Industrial Age began. The population which used to boast over 1 million pairs is now hovering at around 26,000 pairs. The good news, though, is that a number of populations are now thriving, thanks to conservation efforts, including the coastal colony at Stony Point in Betty’s Bay.

Their "tuxedo” is more than just good fashion, it’s camouflage
Did you know that an African penguin’s tuxedo colouring actually serves as a practical camouflage in water? Known as “countershading”, the black coat on the penguin's back hides the penguin from predators swimming above, while the white belly ensures that predators swimming below have a difficult time noticing the penguin when they look up.

Habitat
African penguins are found along coastal areas and offshore islands. Their preferred habitats are flat sandy areas with sparse or abundant vegetation growth, or steep, rocky sites with sparse vegetation.

A love for fish
African penguins hunt for food on their own or in small groups during the daytime. Their diet differs between regions, but their primary diet includes pilchards, anchovies, horse mackerel and herring, and sometimes squid and small crustaceans. They usually forage at depths of over 80m, and during breeding seasons, they may forage 20km to 40km away from their colony.

Partners for life
African penguins are monogamous, which means they breed with one partner for their entire life. They mostly breed on rocky shore islands, and will return to the same breeding colony and nesting site each year. Previously, African penguins excavated their nests in layers of guano that existed on most islands, but they now use sandy soils or crevices between rocks and in man-made nests.They line their nests with seaweed, rocks, shells, bones, vegetation pieces and feathers.

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