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Humboldt Penguin
"The pattern of black spots on the white belly is different for every penguin."
Discover in real lifeHabitat
coast of Chile and Peru
Food
fish and squid
Lifetime
15 to 20 years
Weight
4 to 5 pounds
Length
66 to 70 cm
Number of eggs
2
Incubation time
40 to 42 days
IUCN Status
fragile
EEP?
yes
Black and white
Humboldt penguins have black backs and white bellies, just like all penguins. There is a reason for that. Penguins spend a lot of time swimming in the ocean. If a predator swims below them and looks up, the white belly doesn’t stand out against the bright sky. If a predator looks at a penguin from above, they look towards the dark depths of the sea. With their black back the penguin then is better camouflaged.
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Theme area: Details Matter
You can see the Humboldt Penguin in the ‘Details Matter’ themed area. Here, you can see things that aren’t immediately obvious: patterns, adaptations and clever forms of camouflage or deterrence.
Flying through the water
Penguins are birds, but they can’t fly. However, they can swim very well. The body of a penguin is streamlined. This allows them to glide through the water with ease. Their wings act like flippers and help them swim. With their webbed feet and tail they can steer and quickly change direction. It looks like penguins are flying through the water.