Penguins

Penguins are flightless seabirds that spend much of their lives in the water. Their wings have evolved into stiff flippers, and they swim with remarkable speed.

Adaptations

Dense, overlapping feathers and a thick layer of fat keep penguins warm. Dark backs and white fronts camouflage them from predators in the sea.

Breeding

Most species nest in large colonies. Emperor penguins breed through the Antarctic winter, with males balancing the egg on their feet for about two months.

Threats

Climate change, overfishing and pollution endanger many species, and changes in Ocean Biodiversity affect their food supply.

Range

Penguins live almost entirely in the Southern Hemisphere. The Galápagos penguin is the only species found north of the equator.