The African (Jackass) Penguin is a black and white patterned penguin. It is a distinctive bird with largely black upperparts and white underparts. The face is black, separated from the black top to the head by a broad white “C” shaped marking. The info board said there are 4 species of penguin: one on the southern coast of Africa, one on the southern coast of South America, and two native to Antarctica. No native penguins in the Northern Hemisphere.

The penguins spend most of their life in the water, molting and hatching their eggs are the only reason they spend extensive time on land. Most of the penguins we saw were sitting on their eggs. Curious as to why they had their mouths open, the Internet research showed penguins remove heat through panting (hence, the open mouth), by spreading their wings for better air circulation, and by sending blood to their eyes because with the least amount of blubber the blood can cool (hence, the pink eyes). The best part of travel is our new factoid every day, who knew.