Interesting Facts About Penguins
There are 17 species of penguins. The Fairy penguin is the smallest species standing from 9 to 16 inches tall and weighing 2 to 2 1/2 pounds. The Fairy penguin has a bluish tint to its feathers. The Emperor penguin is the largest species standing 3 to 4 feet tall and weighing approximately 30 to 90 pounds.
Penguins are very social creatures and adapt to many climates.
Penguins have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
Penguins live in large colonies called rookeries.
A penguin's diet includes fish, krill, squid and octopus.
Penguins communicate with each other through a variety of vocalizations and body language.
Penguins are hatched from eggs. The amount of eggs laid depends on the species although most species only lay 1 to 2 eggs at a time.
Penguins have very soft downy feathers when hatched.
Penguins do all of their hunting in water and may spend 75% of their lives at sea.
Penguins have no natural fear of humans.
Penguins swim by moving their wings which act like flippers. They fly through the water. Penguins can swim up to 25 miles per hour. Some species can reach depths of 1000 feet and stay submerged for 25 minutes.
The body of a penguin is insulated with a thick layer of blubber. Their feathers are waterproof.
All penguin species are found below the equator.
The feathers of penguins are much more dense than those of other birds.
Although penguins are black and white some species have yellow head feathers.
A penguin reaches sexual maturity between the ages of 3 to 8 years.
When swimming penguins leap out of the water every few feet similar to the action of a porpoise. This action allows them to breathe and helps them escape predators. Depending on the species of penguin, predators may include sharks, killer whales and sea lions.
The status of the Galapagos penguin is listed as endangered. Its population is estimated between 6,000 to 15,000.
Penguins are generally a hardy species that can survive more than 3 months without food or water. Penguins go through a courtship, nesting and incubation period that can last approximately 2 months. This period can last for up to 4 months for the Emperor penguin. During this time penguins go without food or water. They build up a layer of fat in preparation for fasting.
Sources:
www.whaletimes.org
www.seaworld.org
antarcticconnection.com
Published by Darlene Zagata
Darlene is a professional writer specializing in health and pet care. She is the author of two books and a contributing author to several anthologies. Her interests include the study of ancient civilizations... View profile
-
Penguins Teach Us How to Be Human in March of the Penguins
It's easy to understand the initial fascination with emperor penguins, they look essentially like little bird-people. But a closer look at the impressive sea-bird reveals even d...
- National Geographic's March of the Penguins With March of the Penguins, Warner Independent Pictures and National Geographic Feature Films have released one of the most touching displays of intimate affection, courage, stamina, and neglect that the wild life has...
- Black and White Home Decor: Newspaper Coffee Table This Newspaper Coffee Table is the perfect way to add some black and white design into your home. Black and white seems to be the new colors in home décor this year. You can easily and affordably make this Newspa...
-
Hollywood Film Effects: Creating a Black and White Film
Screening your film in black and white is a double edged sword, though, and film audiences will want to know that there is a good reason for the black and white usage.
- Where to Find Great Black and White Photography Online Spruce up your home with classic black and white photography in just about any subject.
- A Science Lesson About the Emperor Penguin
- Fun Facts and Information About the Emperor Penguin
- The Emperor Penguin
- Thoughts from Inside the Penguin Costume
- Lesson Plan - Penguin Unit Study
- Penguin: Free Homeschool Lesson Plan and Resources
- Endangered Species
|
|
- Penguins have an average lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
- Penguins live in large colonies called rookeries.
- Penguins are very social creatures and adapt to many climates.
72 Comments
Post a CommentTHIS IS SO STUPID...................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................LOVE DAVE...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................
thse facts suck cocks
You guys really need more facts!!!!!!! I'm studying them and theres nothing interesting!!!
ImanexpertonpenguinsIknowmostofthatstuff
cnsnzcvkxmcvncvvbfvsfdvbvcvnbvbvsdvbshdbhvbvshbdcusdgudfdvisa
whats up
Hey. you guys need more facts. This tells me nothing. Im in the 7th grade trying to do a project and your web site tells me nothing really. Just please add more facts please and thank you!!
go to club penguin pplz
club penguin rocks better than this
more facts ppl plz