Galapagos Penguins

This week we discuss the Galapagos Penguin. Not only are these creatures endangered for their lives they are also really cool! Here is a picture of the majestic creatures. In this picture they are performing the verb "chillin."

Now as you look at the penguins you may think to yourself-

                     "Why does the scenery look so nice?!?! Why am I stuck in the middle of nowhere while these penguins chill on some rock in the sun? I thought penguins were from Antarctica?" 

Now regardless as to whether you thought these things or not, I have now said you have. And good questions! To answer your first question, the scenery looks so beautiful because these penguins are found on the Galapagos Islands which are located east of Ecuador, or just South America as a whole. To answer your second question, well.... I guess you made a poor choice in area to live. Sorry. 

But your third question hits the nail on the head! You see, the Galapagos penguins are the only penguin to live north of the equator! And they live pretty darn close to the equator as well. 

The oddest thing, is that these penguins still need to stay cool. They have adapted in a lot of ways to fight the high temperature. The most interesting change from normal penguins is that when on land they adopt a hunched over position to shade their flippers, which is the largest site of heat loss. It looks something like this. 

You can see the angled shape of its body.

These penguins are in danger and only about 1,600 of them remain. The biggest causes of their decline is invading populations. Dogs which were introduced to the Galapagos islands form tourists and inhabitants can bring diseases that kill the penguins. Also stray cats act as predators towards these poor little penguins....

Another large threat is the change in the currents near the islands. When the currents change direction the penguin's food source is usually ruined. Also change in temperature of the water can offset the penguins and have them overheat. So then, with so many threats what can we do? 

The biggest measures being taken include scientists monitoring the penguins and discouraging the use of fishing nets which can offset the fish that act as prey and overall cause current changes.

What are your thoughts? Do you find these animals cute? Do you have a magical idea to protect them? Comment below. 

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