Spheniscus mendiculus, known as the Galápagos Penguin, is the only penguin species found north of the equator. It inhabits the Galápagos Islands, adapting to the warmer climate with unique behaviors like panting and seeking shade. Notably small, it has a distinctive black and white plumage with a thin white line running across the face.

The Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus) is native to the Galápagos Islands, an archipelago located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 600 miles west of Ecuador. It is the only penguin species found north of the equator in the wild.

Galápagos penguins inhabit coastal areas of the islands, particularly where the cold, nutrient-rich waters of the Humboldt and Cromwell Currents provide an abundant food supply. The climate is typically tropical, but the cold currents create cooler, more temperate conditions along the coast.

These penguins are adapted to a marine and coastal environment, where they feed primarily on small fish and crustaceans. They nest in burrows or crevices in lava rocks, which provide protection from predators and the harsh sun. The penguins are well adapted to the variable climate of the Galápagos, which includes both wet and dry seasons.