Adelie Penguin Facts

The adelie is one type of penguin native to the Antarctic area. Adelie penguins look very similar to other penguin types, though their bodies are exclusively black and white. Adelie penguins also tend to look a bit bloated. They are able to withstand extreme cold and capture food in the water by using their impressive swimming abilities.

  1. Environment and Temperament

    • The adelie penguin lives in Antarctica and multiple small islands with similar environments. These penguins head to Antarctica's coastline when it is time to breed between October and January. Despite how crowded with adelie penguins the coast gets, the penguins do not often become angry or restless. After breeding takes place and baby penguins are born, the male and female adults help to raise the offspring. Adelie penguins eggs have a greenish appearance and hatch just after one month. Both the male and female penguins incubate the eggs.

    Movement

    • Adelie penguins swim very well and are capable of journeys exceeding 180 miles to find food. They use slipping and sliding techniques to navigate the ice of their environment. These types of actions help adelie penguins to get to where they are going without growing too tired to continue. Like other penguins, adelie penguins appear to waddle when they walk around the ice.

    Home and Food

    • Adelie penguins create nests for their young. They create a home near the nest but will still travel a long way to get food to bring back. Even when it is not breeding season, adelie penguins tend to gravitate toward one another to form large groups. Adelie penguins like to eat krill, fish and crustaceans they find in the water. Adelie penguins must always be on guard for seals, which use the penguins as a food source.

    Size and Appearance

    • Adelie penguins have a white chest and black back, and their eyes are surrounded by white. Adelie penguin beaks are also tinged with a slight red color. Adelie penguins are the smallest penguins found in Antarctica; they rarely get over 15 pounds and stand about 2 1/2 feet tall. At birth, adelie penguins look much different. They are fuzzy and gray, though they grow at a rapid rate.