Home › Aves › Spheniscidae › Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Galapagos Penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus)
Spheniscus
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Endemic to the Galapagos
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Rocky volcanic coasts and cool upwellings
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Sphenisciformes
FAMILY
Spheniscidae
GENUS
Spheniscus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 49 cm tall
COLORATION
Black back, white front with a thin breast band
ADAPTATIONS
Sheds heat by panting and holding flippers out; only tropical penguin
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Rocky volcanic coasts and cool upwellings
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Endemic to the Galapagos
REPRODUCTION
Two eggs in lava crevices
DIET DETAILS
Small schooling fish
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
El Nino, introduced predators
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The only penguin found north of the equator, surviving thanks to cool ocean currents.
2
With only around 2,000 birds, it is the rarest penguin in the world.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Bartolome Island
Isabela Island
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Snorkel or take a panga around Isabela and Bartolome; the tiny penguins dart after fish in cool currents.
