These penguins are well-adapted to warmer climates. Panting, evaporative cooling, and exposing their feet aid in releasing heat.

They have also adapted to protect themselves from solar radiation. The black-footed penguin avoids spending time at the nesting site other than at dusk and dawn. They also choose nesting sites protected from the sun (burrows).

They have streamlined torpedo-shaped body and strong flippers that propel them through the water. Webbed feet and legs that are set back on the body act as rudders as the penguin swims.

These penguins can stay underwater as long as five minutes.

The penguins have black feathers on their backs and white feathers on their fronts. This is a form of camouflage because from above, the dark coloration helps them blend into the blackness of the ocean water. The lighter color helps them blend into bright surface of the ocean.

Despite the relatively warm environment, the ocean currents around Africa are still very cold. The black-footed penguin still has three layers of short feathers that overlap, making them waterproof. They also have a countercurrent heat exchange system in their legs and flippers. This means that blood flowing from the heart to the flippers will transfer its heat to the blood returning to the heart. This ensures that heat remains in the body.