Penguin Habits & Facts

Penguins are normally seen at the zoo. Many people think that penguins only live in cold snowy areas, but there is more to this bird than meets the eye. One amazing fact about these birds, to start things off, is that although they are in fact a bird, they do not fly: they swim.

  1. Eating Habits

    • Most penguins eat fish, krill and shrimp. Different species of penguins make different food choices. SeaWorld's website says that Emperor and King penguins prefer fish and squid, while smaller species of penguins choose krill. Penguins feed at sea and hunt by sight. SeaWorld also says that penguins go through an annual fasting period, and prior to this they build up a layer of fat for energy.

    Random Facts

    • Penguins can swim up to 15 mph, according to Penguin Facts. A group of penguins is called a colony or a rookery. Penguins lay eggs, like other birds. Penguins stay warm in cold climates because of a fatty layer under their skin and because of their tightly packed feathers.

    Penguin Species

    • There are at least 18 different species of penguins. Facts About Penguins says that the largest penguin is the Emperor and the smallest is the Little Blue Penguin. Emperors can reach nearly 4 feet in height, while the little guy grows to about 1 1/3 feet in height. The fastest penguin, which can swim up to 25 mph, is the Gentoo. And the rarest penguin in the world is the Yellow Eyes penguin, which is native to New Zealand.

    Mating Habits

    • Like swans, penguins mate for life. The two paired penguins will generally raise a small brood of young ones. They also take turns caring for both the egg and the young. Penguins keep the egg on their feet so that it does not freeze, when living in cold climates, and it must be delicately transferred from mom to pop for change of duty.

    Penguin's On The Map

    • Many different species of penguins can be found all over the world, but according to Penguins World, all species can be found in the southern hemisphere. Emperor Penguins are native to Antarctica. Many penguin species can be found in New Zealand: like the Little Blue Penguin, Northern Little Penguin, Yellow Eyed Penguin, and the Snares penguins. Other penguin habitats can be found in the Falkland Islands, Galapagos Islands, Peru, Chile, Southern Australia and even Tasmania.