During the breeding season, when gentoo penguins accumulate fat reserves to sustain themselves and their chicks, they may weigh at the higher end of this range. Adult males tend to be slightly larger than females, with an average weight of around 8 kilograms (17.6 pounds). Juveniles, on the other hand, start at a lower weight and gradually increase their size as they mature.
It's important to note that gentoo penguins, like other penguin species, experience weight fluctuations throughout the year. During the molting season, when they shed their old feathers and grow new ones, they may lose a significant amount of weight due to reduced feeding.
Gentoo penguins are found primarily in the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, as well as some subantarctic islands. Their diet consists mainly of krill, fish, and squid, which they catch while diving in the cold waters of the Southern Ocean.