Penguin Information
Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds. They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere, with only one species, the Galápagos penguin, found north of the equator. Highly adapted for life in the water, penguins have countershaded dark and white plumage, and their wings have evolved into flippers.
Penguins are carnivores; they eat only meat. Their diet includes krill (tiny crustaceans), squid and fish. Some species of penguin can make a large dent in an area’s food supply.
Most penguins are monogamous. At around three to eight years old, a penguin is mature enough to mate. After mating, the female emperor or king penguin will lay a single egg. All other species of penguins lay two eggs. The two parents will take turns holding the eggs between their legs for warmth in a nest. When penguin chicks are ready to hatch, they use their beaks to break through the shell of their eggs. This process can take up to three days. After the chicks emerge, the parents will take turns feeding their offspring with regurgitated food.
The taxonomy of penguins, according to ITIS, is:
- Aptenodytes forsteri (emperor penguin)
- Aptenodytes patagonicus (king penguin)
- Eudyptes chrysocome (southern rockhopper penguin)
- Eudyptes chrysolophus (macaroni penguin)
Penguin Gallery
