Galápagos Penguin

Fun Facts for Kids

• The Galápagos penguin is the only penguin species, living on the equator.
• This penguin has the lowest population number among all penguins in the world.
• For security reasons, they typically enter and leave the sea in groups: moving around as a group allows individual penguins not to catch the attention of predators.
• When in water, these penguins are exceptionally fast swimmers, able to propel themselves as high as over 7 ft (2 m) above water. They use so-called “porpoising” technique, cueing through waves and reminding dolphins or porpoises.
• Galápagos penguins prefer areas with low water temperature and high air temperature, spending the greater part of the day in the water. Here the animals forage and hide from the scorching sun.
• These birds mate only once, intending to remain together throughout their lives. Preening each other as well as taping each another with their bills is a common behavior in mated pairs, helping them enhance their relationship.
• Because of their short legs and small wings, these birds are not able to balance while on land, so they walk with a waddling gait and outstretched wings.
• These penguins molt twice a year, undergoing 13-days molting periods.