Order Sphenisciformes
Family Spheniscidae
Class Aves
Clade Austrodyptornithes
Thumbnail Description
- Penguins are marine birds that are adapted to living an aquatic life.
- The body of penguins is so countershaded that it provides perfect camouflage.
- The small penguins dive in shallow waters.
- Penguins cannot fly instead they use their wings as flippers to swim.
- They remain submerged for as long as 1 – 2 minutes.
- The emperor penguin holds the record of spending the maximum time in water. It remained submerged for 22 minutes reaching depths of about 565 m (1,854 ft).
- The insulating layer of dense feathers keeps the penguin warm.
- King penguins and emperor penguins do not build nest. They carry eggs on their feet.
Size & Weight
BODY-LENGTH: 17.7–51.2 in (45–130 cm)
WEIGHT: 1.8–88 lb (842 g–40 kg)
Habitat
Temperate zones, marine coastal areas
Range
Antarctica, South Africa, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Falkland Islands, Galapagos Islands, South America
Diet
Small fish, crustaceans, squid
Number of Eggs
1 – 2 eggs
Breeding Season
Unknown
Incubation Period
33 – 64 days
Fledging Period
Unknown
Gestation Period
Unknown
Weaning Period
Unknown
Species
King, Emperor, Adelie, Chinstrap, Gentoo, Little Blue, White-flappered, Magellanic, Humboldt, Galapagos, African, Yellow-eyed, Waitaha, Fiordland, Snares, Erect-crested, Western Rockhopper, Eastern Rockhopper, Northern Rockhopper, Royal, Macaroni, Chatham
Sexual Maturity
2 – 5 years
Population
Unknown
Lifespan
Unknown
Speed
AVERAGE: 6 to 12 km/h (3.7 to 7.5 mph)
TOP: 27 km/h (17 mph)
Baby Name
Unknown
Home Range
Unknown
Group Size
100 – 100,000
Predators
Shark, orca, leopard seal
Behavior
Highly social
Conservation Status
Endangered: 3 species
Vulnerable: 7 species;
Lower Risk: 2 species
