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Penguin Traits and Behaviors

Penguins are graceful, flightless birds found around the polar south of the planet. With a body shaped like a torpedo, they typically have black and white feathers in what is known as a "tuxedo" pattern. There are 17 species of penguins that inhabit Antarctica, New Zealand, South America, Africa, and the Galapagos Islands. Penguins grow to approximately 30 inches tall, and weigh around 11 pounds each. They are excellent underwater swimmers, reaching speeds up to 25 mph.

Appearance
- Penguins spend approximately 75 percent of their lives around the frozen sea, so their body is prepared to handle the harsh climate. They have a thick layer of blubber to provide insulation from the cold. They also wear thick plumage that is dense and waterproof, which aids in swimming. Penguins move with a very straight and erect posture, and waddle more than walk. They have a very heavy bone structure that allows them to easily sink in the water and stay submerged to avoid predators.
Habitat
- Penguins live in or around water, but not all of them live in the cold. Some actually live on small islands in the southern hemisphere. They build burrows out of whatever is available. This includes sticks, rocks, or random debris they find along the shore line. Global warming can affect their habitats each year. With rising temperatures, the ice sheets continue to slowly disappear. This gives them less space each year to build habitats, which can greatly affect their reproduction rate.
Reproduction
- Penguins gather in large colonies called rookeries in order to reproduce. They have very specific vocalizations they use to communicate with one another in order to find a mate. They may also find a suitable mate by waving their flippers, bowing, or cleaning their feathers to make themselves look more desirable to the potential mate. Penguins build nests made of stones and rocks, then lay eggs in these nests and take turns incubating one or two of the eggs at a time. Once the eggs hatch, pairs of penguins will then take turns feeding the chicks.
Feeding
- Penguins primarily find their food from the seas, living mainly on fish, shrimp, or squid. They have a hook on the tip of their bills that helps them grab their food straight out of the water. Their tongues have bristles that face the back of their throats, so food cannot slide back out of their mouths. Penguins drink saltwater, and even have a gland that removes the salt from the water and pushes it out of the bill. Each year, they build up a layer of fat to prepare for a period of fasting.

Animals & Science