Penguins are often associated with icy landscapes and frigid waters, typically found in the polar regions of the Southern Hemisphere. This leads many to wonder if these cold-weather creatures could inhabit a place as warm and tropical as the Galapagos Islands.
Galapagos Penguin: A Unique Species
Penguins do reside in the Galapagos Islands. The specific species is the Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus), the only penguin species living north of the equator, with some populations crossing into the Northern Hemisphere. It is one of the smallest penguin species, standing around 49 to 53 centimeters (19 to 21 inches) tall and weighing approximately 2.5 kilograms (5.5 pounds). Its distinct appearance includes thin, C-shaped white feather strips extending from the corner of each eye to the chin, and a single black band across its white chest.
Thriving in the Tropics
The survival of Galapagos penguins in an equatorial environment is due to specific oceanographic conditions that bring cooler waters and abundant food. The Humboldt Current, also known as the Peru Current, flows north from Antarctica, delivering cold, nutrient-rich waters to the Galapagos. The Cromwell Current, an underwater current, also brings cold water and nutrients to the western islands. These currents support a rich marine ecosystem, providing small fish like sardines and mullet, which form the penguins’ primary diet.
Galapagos penguins have also developed physical and behavioral adaptations to manage warm temperatures. They have bare skin patches around their eyes, at the base of their bills, and on their legs, which help release excess heat. On land, they pant like a dog to cool down through evaporation and stretch their flippers to radiate heat.
They also hunch forward to shade their feet, which have high blood flow and lose heat effectively. These penguins spend significant time in cooler ocean waters to regulate body temperature. Unlike most other penguin species, the Galapagos penguin undergoes two molts per year, shedding old feathers for new ones, which helps maintain feather condition and insulation.
Life and Protection in the Archipelago
Galapagos penguins primarily inhabit the western islands of the archipelago, with about 95% of the population on Fernandina and Isabela Islands. They also occur on smaller islets like Floreana and Bartolomé. These penguins nest in natural cracks, caves, and crevices within coastal lava flows, providing shelter from the sun and terrestrial predators. Their diet consists mainly of small schooling fish, which they hunt by diving in the ocean.
The Galapagos penguin is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with a population estimated at 1,200 to 1,800 mature individuals. They face numerous threats, including climate change impacts, which lead to more frequent El Niño events. These events warm ocean waters, reducing fish prey and causing population declines.
Introduced predators like cats, dogs, and rats also threaten eggs, chicks, and adults, while fishing bycatch can trap and drown them. Conservation efforts by organizations like the Galapagos National Park involve monitoring populations, controlling introduced species, and creating artificial nest sites to support breeding success.