African Penguin Skeleton Model

$1,300.00

African penguins have a very recognisable appearance, with a thick band of black that is in the shape of an upside-down horseshoe. They have black feet and black spots that vary in size and shape between individuals.

Description

African Penguin Skeleton Model Replica measures 18 inches. African Penguin Skeleton Model is museum quality polyurethane cast. Made in USA. Our precise skeleton can be used as a teaching tool, museum skeleton exhibit, home décor skeleton, or office décor Skeleton. Skeleton Model measures 18″ height by 4.25″ width by 5″ base.

The African Penguin or Spheniscus demersus, also known as the Jackass, which it is called due to its loud donkey-like bray, black-footed and Cape penguin is a species of confined to southern African waters.

The African penguin or Spheniscus demersus, like all extant penguins, it is flightless, with a streamlined body, and wings stiffened and flattened into flippers for a marine habitat. Adults weigh on average 4.9 to 7.7 lb. and are 24 to 28 in. tall.

The African penguin or Spheniscus demersus has distinctive pink patches of skin above the eyes and a black facial mask; the body upper parts are black and sharply delineated from the white underparts, which are spotted and marked with a black band.

The pink gland above their eyes helps them to cope with changing temperatures. When the temperature gets hotter, the body of the African penguin or Spheniscus demersus sends more blood to these glands to be cooled by the air surrounding it. This then causes the gland to turn a darker shade of pink.

The African penguin or Spheniscus demersus is a pursuit diver and feeds primarily on fish and squid. Once extremely numerous, the African penguin is declining rapidly due to a combination of several threats and is classified as endangered. It is a charismatic species and is popular with tourists.

The African penguin or Spheniscus demersus juveniles do not possess the bold, delineated markings of the adult but instead have dark upper parts that vary from greyish-blue to brown; the pale underparts lack both spots and the band. The beak is more pointed.

Their distinctive black and white coloring is a vital form of camouflage called countershading, white for underwater predators looking upwards and black for predators looking down onto the dark water.

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Additional information

Weight 14 lbs
Dimensions 5 × 4.25 × 18 in
African Penguin Facts:

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Sphenisciformes
Family: Spheniscidae
Genus: Spheniscus
Species: S. demersus
Binomial name: Spheniscus demersus
Conservation status: Endangered – An endangered species is a species which has been categorized as very likely to become extinct in the near future. Endangered (EN), as categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List.