Penguins
What do you already know about penguins?
Penguins are black and white birds, they have black bodies and wings with white tummy’s. Some also have yellow or orange colouring in places too. Although it might not look like it, penguins are covered in feathers, just like other birds. They look super fluffy when they are first born! Once a year they loose all their feathers at the same time. It is called a catastrophic molt! Their adult feathers are waterproof and help keep them warm in colder climates, as does a thick layer of blubber.
They are good at walking on their two feet and their wings act much more like flippers to make them excellent swimmers, but it does mean, very unusually for birds, they can’t actually fly!
There are eighteen species of penguins and they can be quite different from each other. For example the Emperor penguin is very big, measuring over one metre tall, while the Little Blue penguin is much smaller, at about 30 to 40cm high.
Sadly quite a few species of penguin are endangered, or vulnerable, which is one level below. The African Penguin for example is critically endangered.
Penguins don’t just live in Antarctica. They live in many places all over the southern hemisphere, which is the bottom half of the planet, underneath the Equator. Penguins can be found living in Australia, New Zealand, South America, Africa and in many other places. They don’t just live in cold places (although most do). The Galapagos penguin enjoy living in a warm habitat near the Equator and are the only species of penguin that can sometimes be found north of the equator!
Wherever they are found though, they live on the coast and spend a lot of their time in the water.
The biggest species of penguin live in Antarctica. Emperor Penguins take good care of their young. Even when they haven't hatched yet...male penguins balance the egg on their feet to keep them warm!
The smallest species of penguin can be found in New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania. It has another name apart from Little Blue Penguin...the Fairy Penguin!
Penguins love to swim and are very good at it. The Gentoo species of penguin is the fastest species of penguin and can swim at 22mph. Their streamlined bodies help them move quickly in the water. They look a bit clumsy on land, as they waddle and slide on their bellies to get around.
Penguins are carnivores and they like to eat fish and other small sea creatures. They have got a very good metabolism (a word for describing how bodies break down and use food for energy then get rid of the waste!) and they poo every twenty minutes or so!
Penguins find their food in the sea. When they are in the water the colours of their feathers help them camouflage in the water. Their black back and white tummy help them blend in with the dark water and bright sky.
During their catastrophic molt they can’t swim as it is their feathers that keep them warm in the water. It also means they don’t eat during this time as they catch all their food by swimming.
Penguins have their own predators that want to eat them, especially their eggs or chicks! These are different predators depending on where they live, but they get eaten by creatures that live in the ocean and on the land.
Did you know?
Can you see the streamlined shape penguins make when they are swimming that helps them move quickly under water and makes them so good at diving?
All penguins live in groups, which can be called colonies, or they can be called a waddle (when the penguins are on land) and a raft (when they are in the water). These colonies can be made up of different numbers of penguins, hundreds or even thousands! Each penguin has a unique call, which helps them find their mates and chicks in these large groups. Penguins like to huddle together to keep warm, and do this especially when they are sleeping, which they do standing up not lying down!
Penguins will find a mate for life. Some species of male penguin give a smooth pebble as a gift to their chosen female penguin. Male and female penguins take good care of their young together. Penguin babies, called chicks, are born out of an egg. Penguins lay one to three eggs at a time. Both male and female penguins look after the eggs, keeping it warm, which is especially important in freezing cold habitats. Once the chick has hatched, both penguins continue to look after it while it quickly learns how to waddle, swim and most importantly hunt.
What we've learnt...
Penguins are birds, but they can’t fly.
Penguins live in lots of different habitats in the Southern Hemisphere (the bottom half of the world).
Penguins are carnivores and eat creatures they find in the sea.
Penguins like to live in groups called colonies, waddles (on land) or rafts (in the water). These groups can be huge!
Penguins mate for life and take good care of their young.
Test your knowledge...
Penguins Quiz
If you click the correct answer the box will turn green. If its the wrong answer it will turn red and then show you what the correct answer was. Make sure you read/listen to the questions carefully!
#1. Where do penguins live?
#2. Is a penguin…
#3. Do penguins take good care of their chicks?
#4. What are groups of penguins called?
Select all that apply:
#5. Are penguins…
Results
I really hope you have enjoyed learning all about Penguins, with me Flash!
Question Time...
Which penguins are endangered?
By Charlie
There are 18 species of penguin.
African Penguins are critically endangered and are sadly in real danger of becoming extinct.
Galapagos Penguins, Northern Rockhopper Penguins, Big Crested Penguins, Yellow Eyed Penguins are endangered.
Humboldt Penguins, Macaroni Penguins, Snares Penguins are vulnerable, one level below endangered.
Emperor Penguins, Southern Rockhopper Penguins, Fiordland Penguins, are near threatened, one level below vulnerable.
Little/Fairy Penguins, Gentoo Penguins, Royal Penguins, Magellanic Penguins and Chinstrap Penguins are listed as least concern but their numbers are decreasing.
King Penguins and Adélie Penguins are also listed as least concern. They are the only two species of penguin who’s numbers are actually currently increasing.
Any other questions?
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Unsplash Images used on this page, with thanks…
Blue Penguin by Crina-Miriam Cretu on Unsplash
All other photos and illustrations on this page are Whizzbots or Public Domain Images.