Modal Title
Wildlife
Section Header
Galapagos Penguins
Summary
The Galapagos Islands are one of the few places in the world where you’ll find penguins frolicking under the equatorial sun. With their entire population scattered across the archipelago – primarily on the islands of Fernandina and Isabela – Galapagos penguins can’t be found anywhere else, not even in captivity. It’s believed that storms and ocean currents carried over the first Galapagos penguins from Southern Chile to the islands. Despite being left stranded, they were able to survive and grow their population. Over time, they have adapted to their surroundings as well.
To survive in the warm climate, they have evolved in a number of ways. They have far less body fat and feathers than their cold-weather counterparts. Additionally, they have bare patches of skin around their eyes and by the base of their bills. This helps them lose body heat and stay cool throughout the summer.
Due to a lack of food in the region, Galapagos Penguins have also evolved to be one of the smallest of their kind. On average, they only grow to a height of 21 inches and weigh between 1.7 and 2.6 kilograms. This allows them to get by on fewer calories and cope with periods of scarcity.
To survive in the warm climate, they have evolved in a number of ways. They have far less body fat and feathers than their cold-weather counterparts. Additionally, they have bare patches of skin around their eyes and by the base of their bills. This helps them lose body heat and stay cool throughout the summer.
Due to a lack of food in the region, Galapagos Penguins have also evolved to be one of the smallest of their kind. On average, they only grow to a height of 21 inches and weigh between 1.7 and 2.6 kilograms. This allows them to get by on fewer calories and cope with periods of scarcity.
Style
Two Columns
Body Content
Images
Image
Type
Wide 16:9
Images
Desktop
Body Text
It's not often that you'd find penguins frolicking under the equatorial sun. In fact, the Galapagos Islands are one of the only places in the world where that's an everyday reality. Read up on these web-footed wonders, whom you'll most likely run into when you sail on a Galapagos cruise aboard Aqua Mare’s Galapagos boat tours.