Search results
Penguins claim their own family, the Spheniscidae family, and are likely most closely related to other birds like the petrel and albatross. There is still debate over the number of distinct species, but it is generally agreed that there are between 17 and 19 species (see rockhopper and little penguin sections for more information).
- 2 min
Penguins are a group of aquatic flightless birds from the family Spheniscidae (/ sfɪˈnɪsɪdiː, - daɪ /) of the order Sphenisciformes (/ sfɪˈnɪsəfɔːrmiːz /). [4] They live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere: only one species, the Galápagos penguin, is found north of the Equator.
Penguins are flightless birds often associated with cold temperatures and icy habitats. The most iconic species is the emperor penguin, with its striking black and white feathers and bright yellow accents. While many penguins live in Antarctica, other species, such as the Galapagos penguin, live much closer to the equator in very warm temperatures.
- Scientific Classification
- Fast Facts
- Fun Facts
- Ecology and Conservation
- Bibliography
Description
1. The upright body posture and mostly black-and-white coloration makes penguins easy to distinguish from other birds. As with other marine animals, penguins have a fusiform (tapered) shape. The forelimbs are modified into flippers, the tail is short and wedge-shaped and the hind limbs are set far back on the body, which is supported on land by webbed feet. Species-specific markings on the head and facial areas make it easy to tell the adults of most penguin species apart. Male: Male and fema...
Size
1. The emperor penguin is the largest penguin, standing 112 cm (44 in) tall. The smallest penguin is the fairy penguin, standing just 41 cm (16 in.).
Weight
1. Of the 18 penguin species, emperor penguins weigh the most at 27 to 41 kg (60 to 90 lbs.). In contrast, the fairy penguin is the lightest, weighing roughly 1 kg (2.2 lbs.).
All penguins live south of the equator, from the icy waters of Antarctica to the tropical Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador, almost astride the equator. Penguins are specialized marine birds adapted to living at sea. Some species spend as much as 75% of their lives in the sea – only coming ashore for breeding and molting. Penguin wings are...
The Antarctic Treaty legally protects all Antarctic penguins. Penguins are vulnerable to habitat destruction, overfishing of primary food sources, ecological disasters such as oil spills, and human encroachment into nesting areas. Collectively, SeaWorld parks have maintained nine species of penguins, all of which have successfully reproduced. SeaWo...
Coates, J. Penguins: Flightless Birds of the Southern Hemisphere. San Diego. SeaWorld, Inc. 2001. Oki, D. Penguins. San Diego. SeaWorld, Inc. 1996. Peterson, R.T. Penguins. Boston. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1979. audubon.org/bird/BoA/BOA_index.html birdlife.org
Scientific Name: Spheniscidae. Diet: Carnivore. Group Name: Colony. Average Life Span: 15-20 years. Size: 16-45 inches. Weight: 2-88 pounds. Penguins are flightless seabirds that live almost...
- 2 min
Sep 22, 2014 · Penguins are torpedo-shaped, flightless birds that live in the southern regions of the Earth.
People also ask
How many species of penguins are there?
Are penguins flightless?
How long do penguins live?
What does Penguin mean?
Are penguins adapted to living at sea?
Do penguins eat humans?
Dec 13, 2019 · Updated on December 13, 2019. Penguins (Aptenodytes, Eudyptes, Eudyptula Pygoscelis, Spheniscus, and Megadyptes species, all in the Spheniscidae family) are perennially popular birds: chubby, tuxedo-clad creatures that waddle charmingly across the rocks and ice floes and belly flop into the sea.
