Penguins + News & Information

There are at least 17 living species of penguins (some scientists believe that certain similar varieties are actually separate species rather than subspecies), most of them are endangered or threatened and because of global warming, all of them are at risk for extinction.

Aptenodytes: Large Penguins

Emperor Penguins are the largest species. These not so little guys grow to be around 4 feet (1.3 meters tall). Click here for graphical representation of their life cycle from the NSF. Picture.

King Penguins are slightly smaller. They breed on Sub-Antarctic islands (Prince Edward Island for example). Picture.

Pygoscelis: Brush-tailed Penguins

Adelie Penguins are smaller than King Penguins. These are the ones where the female chooses a mate by accepting a particularly appealing pebble for her nest.

Chinstrap (Stonecracker) Penguins are about the size of Adelie Penguins. These are one of my particular favorites because they look like little soldiers. If I ever took over the world with penguins, my armies would be made up of these guys.

Gentoo penguins are also similar in size to the Adelies. They have a distinct white stripe connecting their eyes. Picture.

Eudyptes: Crested Penguins

Macaroni Penguins are cool. I pet one at a Sea World in Ohio once. ^v^ Picture.

Royal Penguins are the subject of debate. Doctor Lloyd Spencer Davis suggests these penguins should be a subspecies of Macaroni Penguins. Picture.

Erect-crested Penguins are one of the lesser known breeds of penguins. They are smaller than the penguins listed above. Picture

Snares are a bit smaller than the Erect-crested penguins. Picture.

Fiordland Penguins are close in size to the Snares, but don’t grow quite as tall. Picture.

Rockhopper Penguins! With their red eyes, these guys look like they have a temper. They get their names from their excellent hopping abilities. They really get around on land even though they are even smaller than the Fiordland Penguins.

Spheniscus: Banded Penguins

African Penguins are not as small as Rockhoppers. Picture.

Humboldt Penguins, about the same size as the African Penguins. They live off the Western coast of South America. Picture.

Magellanic Penguins live mostly on the Southern tip of South America. They’re similar in size to the Humboldt Penguins. Picture.

Galapagos Penguins live on the Galapagos Islands and they are much smaller than the Magellanic, Humboldt, and African Penguins. Picture.

Megadyptes: Yellow-eyed Penguins

Yellow-eyed Penguins are similar in size to the Adelie Penguins and are Native to New Zealand and Australia. Picture.

Eudyptula: Little Penguins

Little Blue (Fairy) Penguins are the smallest breed weighing only around a kilogram (found primarily in New Zealand and the Sub-Antarctic islands to the South). Click here for graphical representation of their life cycle.



For more information about the species of Penguins check Pete & Barb's Detailed Species Notes.