Penguins in Africa?

Yes there are penguins in Africa!​

This is our last month of an amazing year for the Aurifil Thread Club! We had wonderful Aurifil thread curated for each animal, amazing patterns and of course a lot of information about these 12 endangered species that are in need of our help. 
I hope all have enjoyed following along with, we sure had a lot of fun! 

Location: SouthWestern Coast of Africa 
Status: Endangered
Population: 50,000

African Penguin-Fun Facts
The African Penguin is the only penguin species that breeds on the whole African continent. They breed and molt onshore, then remain at sea for four months returning to shore to repeat the same cycles.  There are small muscles at the base of each feather which, when in water, hold feathers tightly to waterproof the body.  When on land, they trap air for insulating warmth.  These animals are found on Boulders Beach near Cape Town, South Africa.The African penguin is part of a genus with four species. This species is commonly known as the jackass penguins because of their distinct, braying calls. They also called black-footed penguin, and Cape penguin. This species of penguin is distinguished by a single band of black feathers cutting across the breast and a circle of featherless skin that completely surrounds each eye and is a light pink color.  
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African penguins may be awkward on land, waddling upright with flippers held away from the body. They are, however, highly specialised for a life at sea and they are efficient swimmers that can reach speeds of 12.5 mph and cruise along at 2-4 mph and dive down to an astonishing depth of 420 ft.  They may not be able to fly in air per say but the sure can fly though the water.

Penguins communicate by vocalizing and performing physical behaviors called displays. They use many vocal and visual displays to communicate nesting territories, mating information, nest relief rituals, partner and chick recognition, and defense against intruders and preditors.

​Click on the sources below to learn more about the Blue Throated Macaw, what is being done to help their populations, and how you might get involved. (source: WWF, National Geographic, Britannica, Sea World and Aurifil)
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Check out the December Aurifil Color Builder patterns for the thread Club!