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Penguins are found all across the southern hemisphere, as well as along the equator where you’ll find Galapagos penguins.
From the inviting turquoise seas surrounding the rocky Boulders Beach in South Africa to the frozen wilderness of Antarctica, these clever and cute little creatures have perfectly adapted to their surroundings.
Emperor penguins
Fun Facts about Penguins
Here are our top 10 cool facts about our favourite feathery creatures.
1) The Little Blue Penguin is the smallest of the penguin species and has been given the nickname ‘fairy penguin’ due to its teeny 16-inch proportions. Cute!
2) Standing at nearly four feet tall, Emperor Penguins are the tallest of the species.
3) Most penguins dart around at a speed of 4 to 7 mph, but the Gentoo Penguin can swim up to speeds of 22 mph.
4) Penguins striking monochrome colouring helps to keep them camouflaged in the sea and on land.
5) New Zealand’s native Yellow-eyed penguins (or Hoiho) are endangered and the population is believed to stand at around just 4000.
6) Whilst most birds lose and replace new feathers at a time, penguins are known to moult at once, spending up to three weeks on land as they undergo their transformation.
7) There are more Macaroni penguins than any other type about 18 million macaroni penguins in the world. That’s about as many penguins as there are people in the entire country of Chile!
8) Most penguin species are loyal to their exact nesting site and often return to the same rookery in which they were born.
Macaroni penguin
9) Penguins can actually drink seawater. A supraorbital gland which is located above their eye removes salt from the bloodstream. The excess sodium then comes out through the bill or by sneezing!
10) Emperor Penguins can stay underwater for up to 20 minutes at a time.
If you want to see penguins in the wild for yourself, browse our trips below.
