Overview
Penguins are flightless birds that spend most of their time in the ocean. They are native to many locations in the Southern Hemisphere, including Antarctica, New Zealand, southern Australia, Chile, and Argentina. They have unique coloration and markings, and most species are threatened or endangered.
Types of Penguins
There are 18 different species of penguins. They are unable to fly, as they do not have wings. Instead, they are skilled swimmers, using flippers that are specially adapted for effective movement through the water, similar to birds that fly through the air. They have an insulating layer of air underneath their plumage, as well as thick feathers, to help them conserve heat in the water, and to help them live in cold climates. Penguins have a distinctive dark and white pattern of feathers called countershading. The patterns make them nearly invisible to predators in the water. Although most penguins are black, white, and shades of grey, some kinds have yellow or red bills, and some have yellow or blue feathers. The largest penguin species is the emperor penguin, at 4 feet tall, between 49 and 99 lb. The smallest are the little blue or fairy penguins, who are only about 13-16 inches high and weigh about 2 lb. They eat types of fish, krill, and squid, caught while they are underwater.
Where They Live
Penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere. Many varieties live in Antarctica, the islands around Antarctica, southern New Zealand, southern Australia, Chile, and Argentina. Most live in very cold climates, where they have few predators and safe places to lay their eggs. They live in large colonies to bring up their young. The Galapagos penguin is the only species of penguin to live partially in the Northern Hemisphere, because Isabela Island touches the equator. They live in a temperate area, but rely on cold currents to bring them food. Like other penguins, they feed from the ocean.
Penguin Fossils
Fossils exist for many species of penguins, including a large prehistoric penguin that was nearly 6 feet tall. It lived in temperate regions, and was found in New Zealand. Penguins flourished during periods of cooling, and lived close together on islands of Antarctica, which were much closer together in prehistoric times. They have heavier bones than other birds, so they can be distinguished from them.
Threatened Species
The rarest penguins are the Galapagos penguins, with only about 1000 breeding pairs. They are an endangered species, with many enemies, from cats, dogs, and rats what attack them on land, to sharks, fur seals, and sea lions. Yellow-eyed penguins, African penguins, and erect-crested penguins are also endangered. Other species are of threatened status. Most penguins are affected by global warming, because their habitat and food sources are impacted.
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