“Howard” hatched on 11 January 2007.  He has developed a relationship with another young female in the exhibit and over the past few months they have established a territory together.  Today, I opened access to a new nesting area and observed their behavior.  Within ten minutes of opening the nest, he went into it to look around.  He started digging and rearranging nest material and has been braying with his girlfriend in their new home.  African penguins form stable bonds and are very specific about choice of nest location.  “Howard’s”  behaviors indicate he is learning the skills of an adult that will prove valuable in his future.  The nest is located behind the log in the exhibit, and “Howard” wears a light green band on his right wing.-Pamela Schaller

African penguins feed on anchovies Engraulis japonica and sardines Sardinops ocellata (two types of fish) in the Benguela current.  This is a cold water ocean current found close to their islands off South Africa.  They can travel for as far as 100 miles to fish for food and usually travel in groups of 8  or more.  Penguins feed on as much as 12-15% of their body weight.  This is equivalent to a 150 pound human eating 80 hamburgers in one meal.  Penguins burn through calories quickly, it takes a lot of energy to keep their body temperatures warm while swimming in the cool waters.  Their internal temperature is 102-103 degrees Fahrenheit and the water they swim in can be 48-60 degrees Fahrenheit.   We feed our penguins every day at 10:30am and 3:30pm.