Galápagos penguin
The only penguins in the northern hemisphere
Galápagos penguins are found only on the Galápagos Islands of Fernandina, Santiago, Bartolomé, Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela, making them the only penguins in the world to breed in the Northern Hemisphere. Their survival in the tropical latitudes is made possible by the Humboldt and Cromwell currents. However, the animals not only use the water to lower their body temperature, but also pant to cool their throats and airways. They build their nests in deep, dark crevices or lava caves.
The smallest banded penguins
Galápagos penguins can reach a size of around 50 centimeters (20 inches), and are therefore the smallest members of the banded penguins genus. As is typical for the genus, they have a white band on their head, which can be seen running in an arc from the eyes to the beak.
Rarity
With fewer than 2,000 specimens, they are among the rarest of all penguins and are listed as an endangered species. In addition to their natural predators and animals introduced by humans, changes in ocean currents in extreme El Niño years pose a particularly great threat to the penguins. Galápagos penguins are monogamous and stay together with the same partner throughout their lives. Their life expectancy is up to 20 years.
FACTS
- Binominal name: Spheniscus mendiculus
- Distribution: Galápagos Islands of Fernandina, Santiago Bartolomé, Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela
- First described: 1871 (Carl Jakob Sundevall)
Galápagos penguin Folding Card
This souvenir note from the Galápagos Series is dedicated to the Galápagos penguin. Printed on genuine security paper, it features a Galápagos tortoise as a gold foil patch, motifs in UV color and haptic elements. While the vertically designed obverse depicts two penguins, the reverse shows a portrait of Charles Darwin and Darwin's Arch before its collapse in 2021. Under UV light, the current appearance of the rock formation is visible. The Galápagos Series, which comprises a total of eight souvenir notes, is also available in a booklet with lots of information and pictures.
Obverse: Galápagos penguins, stylized Galápagos tortoise, map of the Galápagos Islands
Reverse: Darwin's Arch rock formation southeast of Darwin Island, portrait of Charles Darwin (1809-1882)
| Dimensions: 145 x 70 mm (5.71 x 2.76 in) Material: Paper |
