African Penguins

Compared to their Antarctic counterparts, the climate here at Busch Gardens is perfect for these feathered friends. African Penguins thrive in warmer weather and water temperatures between 40 and 70 degrees. Check them out waddling around the shore or watch as they dive into the continuously chilled 65-degree waters of their habitat.

From the rocky shores of southern Africa, these penguins spend their nights on the beach and their days hunting prey in the wavy waters of the south Atlantic. These penguins have up to 100 feathers per square inch to help protect them from the harsh elements. Pink patches of skin around their eyes help them regulate their body temperature between the warmer air and cooler water.

In the wild, they can be found swimming at speeds more than 12 mph and diving up to 400 ft. to catch their prey: small fish, squid, and crustaceans. Penguins generally live on islands and remote continental regions free from land predators, where their inability to fly is not detrimental to their survival.

Location: Penguin Point in Nairobi