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Biggest Penguin Species

There are 17 species of penguins in the world, but only two penguin species are a part of the genus Aptenodytes, known as the "Giant Penguins." The Emperor penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) is the largest penguin species, and lives on ice shelves at the edge of Antarctica and in its surrounding waters, such as the Ross Sea and the Weddell Sea. The King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) is the second largest penguin, and lives on sub-Antarctic island groups, including the Falkland Islands, Macquarie Islands and South Georgia Island. Both the Emperor and the King penguins have specific characteristics that distinguish them from other penguins.

Emperor Penguin Appearance
- As the largest of the penguin species, adult Emperor penguins stand 3 ½ feet tall and weigh up to 100 pounds. The penguins are covered in a coat of different-colored feathers. Emperor penguins have more and longer feathers covering their bodies than any other penguin species. They have a white belly, black head, a long, black, down-turned beak, and black back, tail and wings (flippers). Emperor penguins have yellow patches of color on their upper breast and ears. They are also monomorphic, which means the sexes look similar in appearance and size.
Emperor Penguin Breeding Habits
- Female Emperor penguins lay one large egg at the beginning of the Antarctic winter in late May or June. The female passes her egg to her mate and heads off into the ocean to feed and regain her strength. The male penguin holds the egg for nine weeks on his feet under a flap of belly skin to keep it warm. During this time, the male does not eat and loses 30 to 45 percent of his body weight. When the eggs are about to hatch, the females return from the sea and take the egg from their mate. Females keep the newly-hatched babies warm at their feet, while the males head off to the ocean to feed, since they have not eaten in about three months.
King Penguin Appearance
- King penguins look similar in appearance to Emperor penguins, however, there are certain differences between the two species. King penguins weigh up to 40 pounds and are about 2 feet 6 inches tall. They have white bellies, silver-gray backs and blackish-brown heads. On their upper chests and ears are bright orange patches of color. King penguins have longer beaks and narrower bodies compared to Emperor Penguins. Like Emperor penguins, male and female King penguins look similar in size and appearance.
King Penguin Breeding Habits
- Unlike most penguin species that breed each year, King penguins breed only about every two or three years. Female King penguins lay one egg during the months of November through April. Male and female King penguins switch off taking care of the egg during its incubation. King penguins keeps their egg at their feet, under their belly skin. After about eight weeks, the egg hatches and the baby penguin, or chick, emerges. King penguin chicks take about a year to become fledged, or develop feathers, which is a longer time than most other penguin chicks.

Animals & Science