African Penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are about 24 inches in length, and weigh between 5 and 8 pounds. They have a black back and a white belly with a black chin and face patch separated from the crown by a broad white band. They have a narrow black band across the chest and down the flanks towards their legs. Males tend to be a little larger than females and have heavier bills. They have bare, red patches above the eyes which become more pronounced when they are over heated. They also have a few randomly placed black spots on the chest and belly, the pattern of spots being unique for every individual. Juveniles have blue-grey backs and a light belly and they lack the white face markings and black breast band of adults.

African penguins are similar to Humboldt penguins, the main differences are that the Humboldt penguins are heavier, and have proportionately longer flippers and a narrower white band on the head.

Our penguins feed primarily on Capelin, Herring, Smelt, and Trout. In the wild they would go off on foraging trips that would range from 18 to 70 miles. During these trips they can reach speeds of 12 mph. An average dive of an African penguin lasts about two and a half minutes and goes to about 100 feet, although depths of 425 feet have been reported.

African penguins are monogamous. They reach sexual maturity at two to six years of age. The nesting behavior of the parents-to-be starts with the preparation of a burrow. The birds will excavate a hole, or will locate one under a depression in the rocks or bushes. They then find dry grasses, twigs, and rocks to line their nest. They will start to vocalize with each other. They become very aggressive to anyone approaching their nest. Incubation is 38 days. A few days before an egg is layed the female will have a decrease in appetite and will begin scratching the substrate. They usually lay two eggs. The second arrives about 3 days after the first. Often times both chicks will not survive because of predation or lack of food. The parents will warm the chicks for the first 15 days. After this, the chicks can generate their own body heat. Anytime between 60 and 130 days the chicks will fledge.