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African penguin
A bird of African shores, with underwater views through the glass of its new pool.
A tartalom nyelve
Warsaw's new African penguin enclosure and pavilion opened on 9 June 2026. A glass wall in the pool allows visitors to watch the birds underwater. Nesting areas and surroundings inspired by the South African coast serve different parts of their lives: swimming, resting and raising young.
This penguin comes from the coasts of southwestern Africa and nearby islands. It hunts in cool ocean waters, where dense, waterproof feathers help it retain body heat during dives. Sardines and anchovies are among the fish it catches at sea.
On land, the same bird also needs to lose excess heat. Bare patches above its eyes help cool the body. As the penguin warms up, more blood flows through this exposed skin and releases heat. These patches have a different role from the feathers that protect the bird in cold water.
African penguins live in colonies. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, then share the work of feeding and warming their chicks. The species is critically endangered. A major problem is a shortage of food associated with fishing and changes in the availability of fish in the ocean.
Gyerekeknek
Penguins do not always live among snow and ice. The African penguin comes from Africa, but it hunts in a cool ocean. Dense feathers protect it in the water while it catches small fish. In Warsaw Zoo you can watch its underwater movements through the glass of the pool opened in June 2026.
On shore, the weather can be hot. The bird has patches above its eyes with no feathers. Blood passing through them releases heat into the surroundings. These little areas of skin help the penguin cool down.
Both parents look after the eggs. They take turns keeping them warm and later care for the chicks together. Penguins live in large groups called colonies. Their wild relatives are finding it increasingly difficult to get enough fish, so this species needs protection. The pool, dry land and nesting places each meet a different need.
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What helps an African penguin release heat on land?
- Elhelyezkedés
- African penguin - location on the zoo map.