Galápagos Penguinガラパゴスペンギン

Spheniscus mendiculusEN— Endangered

The Galápagos penguin is the only penguin species found north of the equator, living exclusively on Ecuador's Galápagos Islands. With only about 1,200 mature individuals left, it is highly vulnerable to El Niño events that can slash its population by more than half in a single season.

Galápagos Penguin (reference photo)
Photo: Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 3.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification
Sphenisciformes / Spheniscidae Source
Distribution
Endemic to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador; about 90% of the population lives on Fernandina Island and the west coast of Isabela Island. It is the only penguin species found north of the equator. Source

Did You Know?

  • It lives at a lower latitude than any other penguin species, resting in shade and panting heavily to cope with the equatorial heat. Source
  • Pairs mate for life and molt twice a year, unlike most other penguin species that molt only once annually. Source

Where to See This Species

1 facilities · 0 individuals

How to tell Penguins apart →

浜松市動物園 (Hamamatsushi Doubutsuen)ShizuokaOpened in 1950

ガラパゴスペンギンのWikipedia記事に飼育施設として記載 Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

IUCNは絶滅危惧(Endangered)に分類しており、成鳥の個体数は約1,200羽と推定される。

Habitat

ガラパゴス諸島の岩場や溶岩洞の日陰に営巣する。

Threats

  • エルニーニョ現象による餌となる小魚の減少
  • 移入された犬・猫・ネズミによる捕食
  • 船舶事故による油汚染や漁業による混獲
  • 観光客による撹乱

Conservation & Breeding Efforts

  • ガラパゴス国立公園・海洋保護区による人の立ち入りや外来種侵入の規制

Sources

en.wikipedia.org ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Why is the Galápagos penguin endangered?
Strong El Niño events have repeatedly caused population crashes of 50–77% by disrupting the cold-water currents that bring its fish prey, and it also faces introduced predators, fishing bycatch, and tourism disturbance. Source
How does the Galápagos penguin survive equatorial heat?
It rests in shade, seeks out cool water and rocky crevices, and pants to release heat, since as the lowest-latitude penguin it must cope with far warmer conditions than any of its relatives. Source

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org www.iucnredlist.org