The Greensboro Science Center is home to a colony of African penguins, also known as black-footed penguins or jackass penguins (for the braying vocalizations that they make).
Adopt an African Penguin
When you symbolically adopt an African penguin, your donation provides critical support for animal care, education programs and wildlife conservation at the GSC. Adopt an Animal: African Penguin packages include a stuffed penguin, certificate of adoption, eco-friendly bamboo tote bag, and a photo fact card. Virtual adoptions are also available. Click here to learn more.
KEEPER NOTES
Raven loves to get into the water with her keepers while they scrub the exhibit pool. She will also load into your hand so you can gently push her out into the water like a rocket. A lot of parents enjoy watching this interaction because it's similar to what they might do with their kids in a pool.
FAVORITE FOODS
Overall, our penguins' favorite fish is herring, but we do have a few females that also enjoy capelin.
FAVORITE ENRICHMENT
They really enjoy cat toys - anything with a lot of color, shine and movement!
TRAINING
All of our penguins are trained to come up for feeds, get on a scale for their monthly weights, and are crate trained. Our encounter birds are also trained to station for photos.
Range/Habitat
Native to beaches of Southwestern Africa, living in colonies on 24 islands between Namibia and Algoa Bay, South Africa.
Diet
Fish, cephalopods and crustaceans.
Size
Height
24" - 27"
Weight
6 - 9 pounds
Lifespan
15 - 20 years
Incubation
They lay 1 or 2 eggs, which hatch between 36 - 42 days.
CONSERVATION STATUS: ENDANGERED
Threats include commercial fishing, oil spills and climate change.
DIVE IN!
African penguins are good swimmers! They can reach speeds of 15 mph and can hold their breath for two and a half minutes.