Habitat
All penguins in the wild live south of the equator. Many penguins are found on the coast of South America, near southern Africa, or in icy watersnear Antarctica. Some species can also be found a near New Zealand and Australia.
Diet
Penguins eat fish, squid, crabs and shrimp. They use so much energy swimming that they must eat huge amounts of food. For that reason, penguins live in areas where the water contains large populations of prey.
To find their food, penguins swim below the surface. They can dive much deeper than any other bird.
To find their food, penguins swim below the surface. They can dive much deeper than any other bird.
Movement
Penguins stand up on land and they waddle when they walk. Although they look awkward when they walk, they can walk about as fast as a human being. They can also climb rocky slopes by hopping from rock to rock. Some kinds of penguins travel over ice and snow by sliding on their bellies.
Penguins cannot fly like other birds. Since they spend most of their time in the water, their wings look more like flippers. They "fly" underwater using the same motion as birds that fly in the air. Penguins use their feet to steer themselves when they are swimming.
Penguins cannot fly like other birds. Since they spend most of their time in the water, their wings look more like flippers. They "fly" underwater using the same motion as birds that fly in the air. Penguins use their feet to steer themselves when they are swimming.
Description
Penguins have a tall bodies and short legs. They are covered with short, thick feathers that form a waterproof coat.
Their feathers are black or bluish-gray, and are white on the underside. Some kinds of penguins have yellow or orange feathers on the head, neck, or chest. Penguins have thick layers of blubber keep them warm in cold water.
A penguin's beak can be black, red, bright purple, or orange. Their feet are black, blue, or pink. Some penguins have a crest of feathers on their head.
Their feathers are black or bluish-gray, and are white on the underside. Some kinds of penguins have yellow or orange feathers on the head, neck, or chest. Penguins have thick layers of blubber keep them warm in cold water.
A penguin's beak can be black, red, bright purple, or orange. Their feet are black, blue, or pink. Some penguins have a crest of feathers on their head.
Enemies
Many animals that feed on penguins, including seals, sea lions, and killer whales. Their main enemy is the leopard seal. The best way for penguins to avoid leopard seals is to avoid them.
Some sea birds like to eat penguin eggs so penguins need to protect their eggs. Some kinds of penguins protect their eggs by carrying them on their feet. Others pile all their eggs in a group and guard them.
Some sea birds like to eat penguin eggs so penguins need to protect their eggs. Some kinds of penguins protect their eggs by carrying them on their feet. Others pile all their eggs in a group and guard them.