scientific name
Spheniscus
humboldti
size
Feathers.
~.83"
Height. 15-18"
Weight. 9 lbs.
characteristics
Bones. solid
(as opposed to hollow bones in flying birds)
• act as ballast while diving
Feathers. 2 layers • top layer lies flat
& overlaps to stop wind & water •
bottom layer "downy" for warmth
Feeding. speed (can swim 30 mph) • agile in
water
Feet. webbed • serve as rudder • claws at
end for climbing
Insulation. 80% due to feathers • 20% due to
blubber
Molting. catastrophic (all feathers at once)
• July-Sept • ~10 days
Mouth/Tongue. backward-pointed spines hold
fish
Skeleton. similar to flying birds • large
keel attaches muscles • wings flattened like
oars
Wings. adapted to flippers for
"flying" through water • flattened
like oars
reproduction/life
span
Breeding. any
time of year
Nest. caves • under protected areas
Eggs. 1-3 (average 2) • incubate 40
days
Young. eat regurgitated food • try swimming
~3 mos.
diet
Wild. fish
& squid
Zoo. smelt or herring injected with vitamins
habitat/range
coastal islands
• Peru & Chile • found only in
southern Hemisphere
status
CITES App I •
SSP
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