African penguins used to be known as jackass penguins

Penguins aren’t only in Antarctica, there are several species of warm weather penguins. Near Simon’s Town, South Africa there is a place where you can get up close and personal with African penguins surrounded by granite boulders that are 540 million years old called Boulders Beach. African penguins are only found on the coast along South Africa and Namibia and Boulders Beach is the best place to see their. From just four penguins at Boulders Beach in 1982 they have multiplied to over three thousand. The penguins are under the protection of the Cape Nature Conservation.

African penguins used to be known as jackass penguins because of their distinctive donkey-like bray. On average they weigh about eight pounds each and are about two feet tall. The penguins nest in burrows they dig out of their own excrement, called guano, or in areas under boulders or bushes.

Sadly, African penguins are nearly extinct due to habitat loss, overfishing in areas they rely on food, and pollution. You can learn how to help at SANCCOB.