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Animal Guide

African Penguin

64 destinations · 30 states

Native Range
Southern African coast and nearby islands

African penguins are full of small behaviors that reward a closer look. A group may waddle between the water and shore, preen their feathers, or suddenly dive into the pool and disappear beneath the surface. Underwater, their flipper-like wings become powerful swimming tools, and they can change direction quickly as they chase fish. At a zoo or aquarium, listen for the distinctive braying call that gives them their nickname, "jackass penguin." Watch the chest and throat too, where small movements can reveal breathing and vocalizing. Their black-and-white coloring helps camouflage them in the ocean, with the dark back blending into deeper water from above and the pale underside helping them blend with the brighter surface when seen from below. Native to the coast and islands of southern Africa, African penguins are adapted to a warmer climate than many people expect from a penguin. A close view makes their compact build, quick swimming, and busy social interactions easy to appreciate.

African Penguin

Where to see African Penguin

64 destinations across 30 states

64 destinations

Adventure Aquarium

Camden, NJ

Audubon Aquarium

New Orleans, LA

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa, FL

Caldwell Zoo

Tyler, TX

Cameron Park Zoo

Waco, TX

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Colorado Springs, CO

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Cincinnati, OH

Columbian Park Zoo

Lafayette, IN

Como Park Zoo & Conservatory

St Paul, MN

Dakota Zoo

Bismarck, ND

Dallas Zoo

Dallas, TX

Denver Zoo

Denver, CO

Emerald Coast Zoo

Crestview, FL

Erie Zoo

Erie, PA

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo

West Orange, NJ

Fort Wayne Zoo

Fort Wayne, IN

Georgia Aquarium

Atlanta, GA

Greensboro Science Center

Greensboro, NC

Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park

Fort Walton Beach, FL

Hemker Park & Zoo

Freeport, MN

Henson Robinson Zoo

Springfield, IL

Honolulu Zoo

Honolulu, HI

Idaho Falls Zoo

Idaho Falls, ID

Jenkinson's Aquarium

Point Pleasant Beach, NJ

Keystone Safari

Grove City, PA

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Schnecksville, PA

Lincoln Park Zoo

Chicago, IL

Little Rock Zoo

Little Rock, AR

Long Island Aquarium

Riverhead, NY

Louisville Zoo

Louisville, KY

Memphis Zoo

Memphis, TN

Metro Richmond Zoo

Moseley, VA

Minnesota Zoo

Apple Valley, MN

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey, CA

Mystic Aquarium

Mystic, CT

National Aviary

Pittsburgh, PA

New England Aquarium

Boston, MA

New York Aquarium

Brooklyn, NY

NEW Zoo & Adventure Park

Green Bay, WI

Newport Aquarium

Newport, KY

North Georgia Wildlife Park & Safari

Cleveland, GA

OdySea Aquarium

Scottsdale, AZ

Pueblo Zoo

Pueblo, CO

Racine Zoo

Racine, WI

Ripley's Aquarium of Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach, SC

Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies

Gatlinburg, TN

Roosevelt Park Zoo

Minot, ND

Ross Park Zoo

Binghamton, NY

Saginaw Children's Zoo

Saginaw, MI

San Antonio Aquarium

Leon Valley, TX

San Diego Zoo

San Diego, CA

Seneca Park Zoo

Rochester, NY

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom

Vallejo, CA

Steinhart Aquarium

San Francisco, CA

Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Goddard, KS

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dallas, TX

The Florida Aquarium

Tampa, FL

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore

Baltimore, MD

Toledo Zoo & Aquarium

Toledo, OH

Tulsa Zoo

Tulsa, OK

Virginia Safari Park

Natural Bridge, VA

Wildlife World Zoo

Litchfield Park, AZ

Wildwood Wildlife Park Zoo & Safari

Minocqua, WI

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Tampa, FL

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