African penguin

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/african-penguin

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Spheniscus demersus
2. What is the diet?Carnivore; primarily consumes small pelagic fish (sardines, anchovies) and squid
3. What does the African penguin look like?It has black and white feathers that help it hide from predators, pink skin patches above its eyes to keep cool, and a unique pattern of black spots on its chest and belly.
4. Why is the African penguin endangered?People take too many of its food fish, oil spills and other pollution harm its feathers, and its nesting places are being destroyed.

Anthropogenic pressures: Harmful effects caused by human activities on the environment.
Benguela Current ecosystem: A marine ecosystem off the coast of southwestern Africa known for its rich biodiversity.
Site fidelity: The tendency of an animal to return to a specific location for breeding or foraging.